Magnus Eriksson's crusade
| Magnus Eriksson's crusade | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Modern-day view of Nöteborg (Shlisselburg) | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Sweden |
Novgorod Pskov Republic | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Magnus Eriksson |
Ontsifor Lukinitj Yakov Khotov Mikhail Fefilatov Abraham (POW) | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
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Nöteborg garrison Viborg garrison | Nöteborg garrison | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| Unknown | At least 1,400 men | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 500 killed |
3 killed Several captured | ||||||||
Magnus Eriksson's crusade, also called Magnus Eriksson's war against Novgorod (Swedish: Magnus Erikssons krig mot Novgorod), was a war that occurred from spring 1348 to spring 1351 between Sweden, under King Magnus Eriksson, and Novgorod, and was part of the ongoing series of conflicts during the Swedish–Novgorodian Wars.
In 1348, envoys were sent to Novgorod to challenge them to a theological debate between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. After this was rejected, Magnus Eriksson invaded Novgorod, where he was defeated in a battle at Schabtschin or Zjabtje according to the Suzdalian Chronicle, suffering 500 killed and some captured. However, Swedish historian Dick Harrison claims that it was a short-lived raid. Nevertheless, he continued towards Nöteborg (modern-day Shlisselburg), capturing it on 6 August. After the capture, he left a small garrison in the fortress and departed. The fortress was recaptured in February or March of 1349.
Later, in 1350, according to a later source, "King Magnus' Will", Magnus went on another campaign. He won several victories but was unable to attack Nöteborg due to the garrison's size. Instead, he began planning a trade blockade against Novgorod while Novgorodian troops raided Viborg in March 1351. In April or May 1351, a peace treaty or truce was signed, with the exact outcome of the crusade being debated.