fearing an invasion from Asia, agreed to accept a ransom of
3000 rubles, which was paid by the boyards.

More dangerous were the attacks of Vitovt of Lithuania, Vassili's
father-in-law, who marched three times against Moscow. Both Vitovt and
Vassili were indisposed to risk a decisive battle, fearing that, if
defeated, their enemies would despoil them. In 1408 a treaty was
signed whereby the Ouger was made the frontier between them. This gave
Smolensk to Lithuania, and Kozelsk to Moscow.

Vassili extended his territory, and with it his name; one of his
daughters married the Byzantine Emperor, John Palaeologus. At his
death, in 1425, he left his territory to his son Vassili, the Blind,
whose title was contested by his uncle George, on the ground of being
the eldest of the family. The dispute was submitted to the khan, in
1431. Both sides humbled themselves, but the argument of Vassili's
boyards prevailed. "My Lord Czar," they said to the khan, "let us
speak,--us, the slaves of the grand duke. Our master, the grand duke,
prays for the throne of the grand dukedom, which is your property, (p. 094)
having no other title but your protection, your investiture, and your
iarlikh. You are master and can dispose of it according to your good
pleasure. My Lord, the Duke George, his uncle, claims the grand
dukedom by the act and will of his father, but not as a favor from the
all-powerful." Vassili the Blind, was the first grand duke to be
crowned at Moscow instead of at Vladimir.

His reign was disturbed by constant wars with his uncle, and
afterwards with his cousins. In 1446 he was taken prisoner by one of
the latter, who ordered his eyes to be put out. In 1450, peace was
restored when the second son of George died of poison. Notwithstanding
the loss of his sight Vassili displayed considerable energy in
reestablishing his authority. Novgorod was forced to pay another
indemnity, and to give a written promise that in future all deeds
would be void unless stamped with the seal of the grand duke.

The most remarkable incident of Vassili's reign was the Council at
Florence, Italy, in 1449, where delegates of the Roman and Greek
Churches tried to effect a union. There were seventeen Metropolitans,
among them Isidore of Moscow, who signed the Act of Union. When
Isodore returned and declared what he had done, a great opposition
appeared. Vassili himself insulted the Metropolitan, who fled to Rome.
In 1453, Mahomet II captured Constant