ALEXANDER NEVSKI (122o-1263), Russian hero and saint, grand duke of Vladimir, spent the early years of his life in constant warfare with the Germans, Swedes and Lithuanians, who sought to rescue Novgorod and Pskov from Russia. He is called Nevski from his victory over the Swedish general, Birger Jarl, on the banks of the Neva (July 5, 124o). Two years later his defeat of the knights of the Teutonic Order on Lake Peipus (April 5) compelled them to renounce their conquests. In 1252 the grand khan appointed Alexander grand-duke of Vladimir in place of his elder brother Andrew. Alexander thenceforth did his best to pre vent any possible pretext for a new Tatar invasion. In 1262 he obtained a mitigation of the tribute, and the abolition of the mili tary service hitherto rendered by the Russians to the Tatars. The Orthodox Church canonized Alexander for his services to his country.
See Sergyei Mikhailovich Solovev, History of Russia (Russ. 2nd ed. 1897, vol. iii.).