Yelets fortress at the southern boundaries Moscow state at the end to the XVI first half of the 17 th centuries. (Construction, restoration, reconstruction)

The main objective of the article consists in the characteristic of the list of works as the carried-out by Yelets service class men during construction of Yelets, and also in allocation of the main points defining fighting capacity of fortress during recovery work. In this regard the tasks in which separate episodes from fortress history found reflection were set. It is necessary to give the characteristic to city building, a fortress and fortifications in 1591-1653, to reveal the problems which arose at the service class men and also to define fighting capacity of Yelets garrison during this period. Secondly, to consider restoration in 1619 under the leadership of the voivode G.L. Valuyev of Yelets fortification after pass on the southern counties in the summer of 1618 of Cossacks of the hetman P. Sagay-dachny. Thirdly, to analyze the process of carrying out reconstruction of a part of fortifications organized in connection with news of the being outlined campaign to the Russian borders in 1639 of army of the hetman S. Konetspolsky. Fourthly, to analyze the restoration of Yelets fortress after the fire in the middle of 17th century. For completing the designated tasks, rare documents from Russian State Archives of Ancient Documents funds, a part from which was published, were attracted, and a part is for the first time introduced for scientific use. On their basis the author managed to track how the geopolitical situation at the southern boundaries affected the processes connected with construction works. After the analysis of the available documents the author came to the following conclusions. All actions connected with works on maintenance in combat readiness of city and fortress fortifications were held within need of the state on strengthening of the southern boundaries. Works on construction and restoration of fortifications laid down on shoulders of the service class men of Yelets garrison who were carrying out them in parallel with execution of "monarchic" service. Planned actions for partial alteration of fortifications and restoration of the sites of defensive walls collapsing for many years, by the voivodes coming to Yelets were not carried out. For strategic reasons the opinion on transfer of fortress on the new place moved forward.

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