The real founder, however, of the principality was Daniel, a son of Alexander Nevsky, who had received this small town and a few villages as his particular source of revenue to be collected by means of the usual methods among lords, enforced taxation. He began a series of conquests for the extension of his domains and laid the foundation for the principality of his successors.
He created himself an absolute autocrat and brought all the surrounding princes to his feet, an example which was religiously followed by his son George, who continued his acquisitions until he forced himself to be recognized as the Prince of Novgorod, and by truckling to the Mongol Khan secured the assassination of his chief rival and thoroughly established himself as the supreme power in Eastern Russia. His reign closed in 1325 and was succeeded by that of Ivan, who continued to live his evil life as oppressor, burdener, tax gatherer, revenue farmer, alms giver and monk protector up to 1341.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
