THE RURIK DYNASTY. (2019) Episode 6. In Russian with English subtitles.

Conquest and the struggle of power, victory and defeat, love and betrayal, the rise of culture and the ashes of conflagration - these are just some of the elements of the Rurik dynasty. Founded by Viking/Varangian prince, the Rurik dynasty ruled the territory of Kievan Rus from 882, and later, several neighbouring principalities including the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Their rule continued until 1610 and the Time of Troubles, after which they were succeeded by the Romanovs. Throughout their rule, the Rurikids fortified, defended and expanded their territory - sometimes with fierce and terrifying battles, sometimes with reconciliation and peace treaties. Most importantly, however, it was under their rule that Russian culture developed, and the Russian nation.
Episode six chronicles the careers of the first Danilovichi, the heirs of Danilo,grandson of Alexander Nevski, concentrating on Ivan Danilovich (Kalita) and Dmitry Ivanovich (Donskoy).
He continued the policy of his older brother Yuri, but used more sophisticated methods. Nickname Kalita (“purse”) received, according to one version, for the desire to enrich the Moscow treasury by any means, in which he was very successful. He achieved the transfer of the metropolitan see from Vladimir to Moscow, which made it the spiritual capital of Rus'. He laid the foundation for the architectural ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin by building the first white-stone cathedrals and oak walls. Through his efforts, the Moscow principality defeated Tver, during the entire reign of Ivan Kalita, not a single raid was made on Moscow lands. During these 40 years of "great silence" in Rus', a new generation has grown up, which will enter the Kulikovo field.

Dmitry Donskoi became the Grand Duke at the age of 9, his guardian was the Metropolitan of Moscow Alexy. At this time, the Golden Horde was going through a period of unrest and disintegration, but the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was noticeably stronger. The young prince fought to strengthen his principality, fought with Lithuania, and led the anti-Horde movement in the Russian lands. Under him, the great reign was finally assigned to Moscow and the process of uniting the Russian lands and liberating them from the power of the Golden Horde began. With the help of the main spiritual authority of Rus', hegumen Sergius of Radonezh, Dmitry for the first time managed to unite the forces of different lands, and defeated the Horde in the battle on the Kulikovo field, near the Don, for which he received the nickname Donskoy. In the 20th century he was glorified as a saint.