Novgorodians to the commission of the cowardly though necessary act.
Alexander arrested his son, and punished the boyars who had led him
into the revolt with death or mutilation. The vetche had decided to
refuse the tribute, and send back the Mongol ambassadors with
presents.

However, on the rumor of the approach of the Tartars, they repented,
and Alexander could announce to the enemy that Novgorod submitted to
the census. But when they saw the officers of the Khan at work, the
population revolted again, and the Prince was obliged to keep guard on
the officers night and day. In vain the boyars advised the citizens to
give in: assembled around St. Sophia, the people declared they would
die for liberty and honor. Alexander then threatened to quit the city
with his men and abandon it to the vengeance of the Khan. This menace
conquered the pride of the Novgorodians. The Mongols and their agents
might go, register in hand, from house to house in the humiliated and
silent city to make the list of the inhabitants. "The boyars," says
Karamsin, "might yet be vain of their rank and their riches, but the
simple citizens had lost with their national honor their most precious
possession," 1260.

In Suzdal also Alexander found himself in the presence of insolent
victors and exasperated subjects. In 1262 the inhabitants of Vladimir,
of Suzdal, of Rostof, rose against the collectors of the Tartar
impost. The people of Yaroslavl slew a renegade named Zozimus, a
former monk, who had become a Moslem fanatic. Terrible reprisals were
sure to follow. Alexander set out with presents for the Horde at the
risk of leaving his head there. He had likewise to excuse himself for
having refused a body of auxiliary Russians to the Mongols, wishing at
least to spare the blood and religious scruples of his subjects. It is