Ivan the III and the armies of the 15th century

During the 15^th century, as Muscovy was slowly headed towards autocratic rule, it became necessary for the Grand Princes to amass larger centralized armies to protect the state, which was very vulnerable to attack due to a lack of natural borders.  They began to recruit from the druzhina leaded by the boyars who at this point had become noblemen in control of their own troops.  Boyars themselves were also called upon to fight along with their sons.  Princes also recruited military slaves, resembling mamluks. Peasants were required to provide a small amount of troops for the army as well. Although this type of recruitment was rather inefficient, the troops were armed with early guns known as arquebus and small artillery.  This proved to be effective, especially against the Mongols who had still held control over Russian lands.  In 1480 at The Great Stand on the Ugra River, Ivan the III blocked all passages over the Ugra River, where Akhmat Khan was attempting to cross, in order to attack Moscow after Muscovites refused to pay homage.  After a few small skirmishes Russian superiority in weapons allowed the army to repel the hordes of the Khan and finally freed Russia from Mongol control.  This was an important moment in Russian history, as it not only freed Russia from outside forces, but it allowed a central autocracy to develop. Earlier Russian princes and boyars were often fighting amongst themselves, but Mongolian control forced them to work together to gain independence.  These alliances were able to build into autocratic rule and allow Russian forces to conquer vast amounts of territory, which is why Ivan the III was dubbed, The Gatherer of the Russian Lands.  Ivan the III also introduced the pomest'e system, which granted noblemen plots of land, usually in return for military service.  This was important because it created a more reliable army, and helped to promote the upper classes of Russian society, who received the land.

 

Ivan the III tearing up the khans missive letter in front of his ambassadors