In both countries the drift towards cohesion and centralisation is strong, but custom is stronger; Gedimin’s realm is for the present parcelled out among his seven sons and his brother Voin; the lands of Moskva are divided between the three surviving sons of Kalita, Simeon, the eldest, having the capital city and the title of Grand Prince subject, of course, to the consent of the Khan. It was a critical moment in the fortunes of the House of Moskva, when the young prince presented himself for approval at Sarai, with a respectful appeal for a renewal of past favours. The news of the death of Ivan had sent more than one kniaz in eager haste across Russia to the picturesque city on the Volga’s shore; the two Konstantins (of Tver and Souzdal) hoped to undermine the Mongol support which propped up the ascendancy of Simeon, and ruin their rival by the same means with which his father had kept them under. But the Prince of Moskva, with the treasures of the Grand Principality and the tribute of Velikie Novgorod at his disposal, was able to put his case in the most favourable light before the Khan and his officers, and the inherited instinct of almsgiving helped him no doubt to retain the hereditary dignities. FOOTNOTES: [43] A. M. H. J. Stockvis, _Manuel d’histoire, de généalogie, etc._ [44] Colonel Yule, _The Book of Ser Marco Polo_. [45] Karamzin. [46] S. Solov’ev, _Istoriya Rossie_. Karamzin. [47] N. P. Dashkevitch, _Knazenie Daniela Galitznago_. [48] E. A. Freeman, _Historical Geography of Europe_. [49] S. Solov’ev, _Istoriya Rossie_. [50] Commander of a thousand men. [51] _Geschichte der Ostseeprovinzen._ Karamzin. S. Solov’ev. [52] Karamzin. [53] S. Solov’ev. [54] Vladuika--a title of respect given to the highest clergy. [55] _Geschichte der Ostseeprovinzen._ [56] V. B. Antonovitch, _Otcherk istorie Velikago Kniajhestva Litovskago_. Th. Schiemann, _Russland, Polen, u. Livland_. A. Stokvis, _Manuel d’histoire, etc._ [57] V. B. Antonovitch. [58] _Geschichte der Ostseeprovinzen._ [59] _Geschichte der Ostseeprovinzen._ [60] V. B. Antonovitch. Th. Schiemann. [61] V. B. Antonovitch. [62] Chaucer. CHAPTER VI THE GROWING OF THE GERM