'Simeon Ivanovich Gordyi (the Proud)' (Семён Иванович Гордый in
Russian;) (
7 November 1316 -
27 April 1353),
Grand Prince of Moscow and Grand Prince of
Vladimir, oldest son of
Ivan Kalita.
Semyon became the Grand Prince of Moscow in
1340 and a year later he was granted the
Golden Horde's permission to rule
Vladimir. His military campaign against the city of
Torzhok in
1341 favored the strengthening of his princely authority over
Novgorod. Ten years later, Semyon's army launched an attack against
Smolensk. He continued his father's policies of supporting the Golden Horde and acting as its leading enforcer in
Russia. Semyon was given more and more powers by the
Khan to counter
Lithuania's growing power that threatened the
Mongols' dominance. Unlike most other Russian princes, Semyon remained completely loyal to the Horde.
Before his death in 1353, Semyon took
monastic vows and took the name of Sozont. He and two of his sons died of
pestilence. Semyon is buried in the
Archangel Cathedral of
Moscow Kremlin.