The Campaign of Devlet Giray I to the Russian lands and the defense of Bolkhov in October 1565

The article analyzes the events of the military campaign of September—October 1565 on the Russian-Crimean border. Presently, the historical record database expands greatly with unpublished private rank books, ambassadorial books, as well as newly discovered Chronicle of the nobles of Zagryazhski. The authors who use the newest research methods in military historiography make the first ever attempt to consider such substantial issues as the actions of Russian reconnaissance in the mid-fall of 1565, the causes of the regional conflict in the army of Prince Ivan D. Belsky, and the retreat of the Crimean army to mention but a few. As a result of comprehensive study of the Bolkhov campaign, they have reached the following conclusions. The campaign of the Crimean Khan Devlet Giray I to the Russian lands was another milestone of the protracted military confrontation between the two states, the Crimean Khanate and the Russian Tsardom. As a result of the conflict between khan and representatives of the Tatar noble class, the campaign conceived primarily as a political action turned into a robbery raid aimed at taking prisoners. At first, Devlet Giray I deceived the expectations of the Russian command by attacking the poorly defended Bolkhov fortress. However, the skillful actions of the Russian intelligence helped to track the paths of the Crimean army and prevent the Tatar contingents from breaking through to the south of the country. The approach of the army of Prince Ivan D. Belsky who was sent to meet the Crimeans forced Devlet Giray I to lift the siege of Bolkhov and, without taking a big battle, retreat to the Steppe. In the addendum, excerpts from Chronicle of Zagryazhski and Rank Book of the Boltins are cited, with some new data on the Bolkhov campaign.