tal force of the Mongols, all
resistance was madness, all pride ruin. To brave them was to complete
the overthrow of Russia. His conduct may not have been chivalrous, but
it was wise and humane. Alexander disdained to play the hero at the
expense of his people, like his brother Andrew of Suzdal, who was
immediately obliged to fly, abandoning his country to the vengeance of
the Tartars. The Prince of Novgorod was the only prince in Russia who
had kept his independence, but he knew Batu's hands could extend as
far as the Ilmen. "God has subjected many peoples to me," wrote the
barbarian to him: "will you alone refuse to recognize my power? If you
wish to keep your land, come to me; you will see the splendor and the
glory of my sway." Then Alexander went to Sarai with his brother
Andrew, who disputed the grand principality of Vladimir with his uncle
Sviatoslaf. Batu declared that fame had not exaggerated the merit of
Alexander, that he far excelled the common run of Russian princes. He
enjoined the two brothers to show themselves, like their father
Yaroslaff, at the Great Horde; they returned from it in 1257. Kuiuk
had confirmed the one in the possession of Vladimir, and the other in
that of Novgorod, adding to it all South Russia and Kiev.

The year 1260 put the patience of Alexander and his politic obedience
to the Tartars to the proof. Ulavtchi, to whom the khan Berkai had
confided the affairs of Russia, demanded that Novgorod should submit
to the census and pay tribute. It was the hero of the Neva that was
charged with the humiliating and dangerous mission of persuading
Novgorod. When the _possadnik_ uttered in the _vetche_ the doctrine
that it was necessary to submit to the strongest, the people raised a
terrible cry and murdered the possadnik. Vassili himself, the son of
Alexander, declared against a father "who brought servitude to
freemen," and retired to the Pskovians. It needed a soul of iron
temper to resist the universal disapprobation, and counsel the
Novgorodians to the commission of the cowardly though necessary act.
Alexander arrested his son, and punished the boyars who had led him
into the revolt with death or mutilation. The vetche had decided to
refuse the tribute, and send back the Mongol ambassadors with
presents.

However, on the rumor of the approach of the Tartars, they repented,
and Alexander could announce to the enemy that Novgorod submitted to
the census. But when they saw the officers of the