Mongols sack Vladimir-Suzdal

1238

Vladimir, the grandest city of northern Rus, fell in February to Mongol siege engines. The bishop and royal family burned in the cathedral where they had taken refuge. Prince Yuri II died a few weeks later at the Sit River, his army shattered on snow-covered ground. The sack of Vladimir destroyed the political center of northeastern Rus and left the region's surviving princes scrambling for Mongol favor.