The following historical, geographical and political situation and considerations more accurately and more specifically explain the rights of said two opponents (and after as well, and Lithuania) to Brest land, and the land surrounding Brest large space.

Slavs who migrated from somewhere in ancient times to the place of their current residence, divided into tribes clearing drevlyans, krivichi, northerners and many others. Each tribe has focused on one place, which lived in cities, villages and forests. Lacking certain limits possessions between them often clashed.

But there is another, more fundamental reason for misunderstandings. Polian's, according to some historians impersonal   /1/ Pavlishchev, Polish history. I must add that unlike the names “highlanders poleshuk, drevlyanin”, “Pomoryanah” for the inhabitants of the mountain, polesskbh (wood), Pomeranian locations, Slavs, when occupied by “clearing” of their present plains, meadows called themselves. Speaking “field ”(plain) attached to the end of the Slavic “Yanin” or “ Yak ”(as, -jego, dobr-ego, swo-jego, сво-его – онЪ) as poor (poor one) good man, countryman — warszawiak, wieśniak. Turned “Polyanin” “Pole” for all Slavs living on the plains, not in the mountains, not in a woodland, not the sea. Later, when some tribes have received other names, names Polyanin Pole and were only present for the Poles and their land - Poland. And in Latin: Poloniae. In German: Polen, Pohlen, Polnisch: in Hebrew, too פולין Called Russian Poland as one with Polessye Podlyasem. By the property of the German pronunciation of the name Pole, sounding as “polach” with the accent on lach, and eventually the first syllable of “po”, as it was gone, leaving only more and more audible hits lach, Poles here. However, all this is our personal opinion article “ Russin and Poles ” in Kiev antiquity v. 1, 1882 provides that a sign of contempt Russin called names Poles “liach”, which became the name of contempt and Russian as Moskal for Russian and zid for the Jews. , were present Polish (from Liakhov) and land occupied lyahami, in IX was the cradle and perpetual home {12} Slavs.   /1/ There, page 2 . Like all other Slavs, Poles were quiet and gentle disposition. Slavs under the former name of the Veneto (Venda), made as if one people speaking the same language of common Slavic, who had a temper, some beliefs and some national feeling   /2/ History of Slavs .

Living on his new place in separate groups between which a long time there were no reports they started vary, replacing forms of language, customs and beliefs, each tribe in its own way by local and other conditions, so that instead of one nation, one language, stood many different languages and tribes, though congenial.

Geographically, you can make the following order of the Slavic lands, ranging from the southwest to the northeast; belohorvaty; Poles, drevlyans and northerners; venedy and dregoviches; pomoriane. Poliane, according to legend, built the city of Kiev. Their neighbors were close drevlyans - Polessye (Poland). Podlasie (current sedletskayai, Lublin province), then Belarus, Lithuania and northerners (which came to rule the house of Rurik). All these Slavic tribes could connect again. They had such an idea. And, perhaps, this fact would have made. But a strange coincidence at times and always stopped for ever caused a lot of trouble.

Russ tribe and part of the Lithuanian population (except Yatvingians) - origin not Slavs. These men were partly nomadic wild, stubborn. In a historic day when they came to the same Slavic tribe reign and took with him the squad and a lot of people of his tribe. And while on the one hand, to adjust to the Slavs, borrowing their language (but not assigning it, so ranged former emphasis on the penultimate syllable, and much of their wildness left), for the other side, and put his stamp on the board savagery, severity and stubbornness, and most importantly, the board has received the name of their country, which was contrary to all the Slavic traditions.

Soon, these Russian princes killed Polyanskih (Polish) rulers in Kiev and settled there to reign. Since that time, these princes gained a certain lands Lyashski: Galician-Czerwiensk, Volyn, Polessia (Polish) and Lithuanian, all in the name Russian. Western Poles, could not look indifferently at all. Besides Russian adopted Christianity Eastern rite (Orthodox), Poles same Catholicism. Troubles began, war. Each combatant tried to persuade {13}and to bring to their rule, their religion and their customs of the inhabitants of disputed land boundary. The main places were contested land: Galicia, Volyn, Polesskaya Podlasie-Czerwiensk and Lithuanian. Brest presented their center.
Brest Christian population and even the first Brest Jews spoke a Slavic language similar to substance (material), and changes to the Polish accent   /1/ Purebred Poles speak Polish. But mostly dominated Polish dialect closer to the Lithuanian than to Malorossiysky. However, Polesskoe adverb much closer to Polish than to the new Slavic or Russian. Not for nothing Polesye, Podlasie and Poland were for Russian almost one concept, one name .

New Slavic or Russian language was first known, except (sometimes) in the area of ​​the church, but in the prince's court, and officials who were there at times, during the Russian Dominion. And was also with the font.

So, residents of Brest were, besides the Jews: Poles, poleshuki, Lithuanians and a small group of other (Russian Orthodox).

During the development of a specific system, fragmented principalities. Although one was the Grand Duke, who had a small effect on the other, no other prince was not from him or other dependent. Each rule separately and independently, had his squad, and waged war also separately. Principality of paying tribute to the prince. This system was introduced and Russian and Polish princes.

So stood in the IX century in Kholmsk - Podlasie region specific areas (principalities) or ground (inheritances), Lublin, Chelm and others. And in the era of transition Brest from one to another principality, while he is a separate independent principality. But around 1171 - 1173 Brest joins the Vladimir principality. In this principality sat Prince Galitsky. Vladimir Monomakh in 1073 mentions Brest in his sermon on the campaigns to Berestie, he went to the country on the borders of Russia and Poland the world works with the Poles. In 1099 Grand Duke Sviatopolk sent to Brest for a meeting with the Polish prince Wladyslaw Herman. In 1141 Grand Prince Vsevolod gives Brest brothers wife Sviatopolk and Vladimir Mstislavovitch. Thus Brest again became a separate principality. In 1142 the same prince gave his relatives Davidovich city : Brest, Drogichin and Bryansk. In 1153-1157, the owned Berestie Vladimir Andreyevich. He is credited with the construction in Brest “ St. Peter's Church.” In 1164 Duke of Lithuania Skirmunt cleared {14} at the time of the Brest land, but the prince Mstislav Lutsk conquered her again Russian possession.

Polish historians generally argue that Brest and surrounding land for centuries the Polish lands, also say in passing that in 1172 again went to Brest Polish Karol Casimir fair; who allegedly first built on a hill over the river Bug defensive castle. Russian historians, the latest period, say, that it is necessary to extend the belief   /1/ Acts in the Preface that these Russian land, and that the castle was built above said Russian Prince Vladimir Vasilkovichem in 1286   /2/ The castle was situated on the hill where the fortress is now the so-called curfew garden. This place is now called the castle mound (Harkevich. About monument Suvorovur.). In 1831, during the construction of the castle was a fortress, the gap (Fayshteyn. .

But then, not long owned by the Poles. According to the chronicler in Brest owned Prince Roman Mstislavovich. When, after his death in 1207 Lesco (Polish) came to pacify the country, Berestyane asked him to give them a minor Vasilyek Romanovich and gladly took the baby, seeing it like living Roman   /3/ Acts. However, it is unknown how much truth in this. But, anyway, I suppose, so that the matter belonged to only a small handful of the population supports the Russian policy, such as the church staff and other supporters . Vasilyek's mother complained Lesco that Prince Alexander “ the whole land of our fatherland and holds – and my son in one Berestie ” – and Alexander gave Vasilyek Belsen. According to others, in 1213 Vladimir (Volyn) with Brest conceded Danilo Romanovich (Galician - Russian prince). But Brest often been destroyed and grab Yatvingians Poles. Elsewhere we find that estimated in 1211. Lesco of Brest took a while, but after the victory of Prince Mstislav, Brest again got Prince Galitsky. Yatvagi also came to fight near Brest in 1226, but were defeated by Prince Daniel Romanovich. In 1229 in the absence of Prince Daniel, Berestyane themselves with Prince Vladimir Pinsky killed again attacked them Lithuanians.

And so, every time Brest goes to Russian and then returns to lyaham. Fighting with Brest also Lithuanians, but to no avail. During the Russian possession, it often makes the individual, even independent principalities.

In 1241 Brest was razed to the ground by the flood of Russia and Poland Tatars. Residents of the city were exterminated. The city itself represented the continuous cemetery corpses that there was no one to bury. And {15} when, after the departure of the Tatars, Prince Daniel returned from Poland, he could not have the stench rode any Brest, nor in Vladimir, filled with corpses, and decided to live “in the Helm.”

About 1280 followed by a new ruin Brest land. Poles fought at Brest and took away 10 villages, but were repulsed Brest residents and their governors Titus.

According to Russian historian Vladimir Vasylkovych, built in 1276, the city of Kamenetz-Litovsk, near Brest, with the famous tower, he strengthened Brest in 1286 (or 1276) year.

Around 1279 there was a famine. Prince Vladimir Yatvagi asked to send them in their land of merchants with bread and Vladimir sent him from Berestye grain in boats on the Bug and further along the Narew River under the proud Pultusk. Brest was a place for the storage of grain exported from Volyn and Czerwiensk Russia. Brest merchants had constant communication with Gdansk (Danzig), on the Bug, Narew, Vistula.

Upon the death of Prince Vladimir challenged Yuriy Lvovich from his uncle Mstislav possession Brest. Mstislav overlaid Brest residents tribute for their sedition.

In Lithuania, in the XIII century, autocracy began to develop. In 1250-1260 Duke of Lithuania Mindaugas won Grodno province. Mindaugas took this first Catholic, then again returned to paganism. Alexander Nevsky and Daniel Romanovich suspended for the duration of success Lithuanians. But Gedemin (1315-1340) again raised Lithuania, which became a huge state, adding to a lot of Russian lands, Volyn, Polesian, Polish and others. Gediminas became Grand Duke of Lithuania, and the way in 1315 he joined the Lithuanian city of Brest. In 1348, at the battle with the Germans fell many Lithuanians. Among the fallen princes was also a local prince Brest.

Between Lithuania and Poland is happening at the same time, that is between them and Russia. The winner won inhabits land his men, trying to introduce their religion or paganism, set your spirit.

In 1349 Kazimierz (Poland) among other cities and took Brest, who fought nine days, but was finally taken. In 1350, Lithuanians expelled from Brest Polish troops and others. In 1354 Casimir made peace with the Lithuanians at Brest which was owned by the Lithuanians. But in 1366 Casimir again took Brest and other cities, Brest Prince Yuri was only as a vassal of Poland.

Since that time, more than four centuries of Brest was possession {16} Poland first, and then joined the Polish-litoyskih kings and Brest for a new era, a new life.

In 1379 Elner Theodoric, leader of the German knights plundered and burned almost the entire city of Brest, survived only lock. But soon the city rebuilt and recovered.

And mixed in Brest elements (except the Jews), Polish, polessye, Lithuanian, Russian and partly German, Jewish (Moeseev law, Judaism), Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Protestantism and the remnants of the old idolatry; languages: Jewish-German, Polish with many adverbs (Ruthenian, Polessye, Lithuanian, Russian). Customs and traditions mixed to increase the eternal unrest, perpetual discord between residents, word-chaos, members are never combined, are not educated never one whole.

Russian historians claim that by the time it was in Brest 10 Orthodox churches, but two monasteries. But even in matters of faith all the inhabitants of Brest (except the Jews) – were still weak, faith was all still new and they could easily sway and hire for politicheskih purposes, causing the outer religious activities.

However, after a number of Jews and Poles national spirit Brest formed the dominant element (and in religion-Jews). Jews dominated the development of a peaceful life, commerce and detailed everyday adventures. They also surpassed the number of all other inhabitants of Brest combined. Jews do not participate in political scandals, as generally people are not armed.