When did the tribute of Dorpat appear?

Abstract

The article examines the origin of the «tribute of Dorpat», historical tax of Bishops of Dorpat (Yuryev) to Grand Princes of Moscow. Study is based on chronological information, provided by Russian Diplomat Ivan Viskovatiy during the Russian-Livonian negotiations in 1554. According to Viskovatiy, the tribute was not paid by Livonians for 210 years. The author tries to find out, what historical event commenced the chronology of the «unpaid tribute», as called by Russians. From the author’s point of view, the historical precedent can be found in the events of Saint George’s Night Uprising of Estonians against German and Danish Lords in 1343–1345. The author compares two stories about the negotiations of Estonians with the Swedish Vogt of Abo and with Pskov in late April and early May of 1343, using the most important source for this period, «The Younger Livonian Rhymed Chronicle» by Bartholomeus Hoeneke. After the rebels offered Pskov the lands of Bishop of Dorpat as well as their allegiance, the big army of Pskov and Izborsk attacked the Bishopric. It important to note, that, according to the Pskov chronicles, Pskovians considered these lands their own. In 1554 the offers of Estonian diplomats could have been viewed as the tribute proposal from the territories of Dorpat («Dorpat tribute»). The Saint George’s Night Uprising in the Russian literary tradition is associated with 1344. Therefore, the Russian diplomats in 1554 counted 210 years from that event, instead of 211. Thus the author concludes, that the proposals of Estonians in Pskov in May 1343 can be viewed as a historical precedent, that commenced the chronology of the «tribute of Dorpat».