denim tablet travel case

DIY Tablet Case – Quick DIY Gift

Are you looking to make a fun upcycled DIY gift? I love this DIY tablet case. The tablet case made from old jeans is quick and easy to make plus it makes a great gift:)

How to make a DIY tablet case

• Pair of jeans
• Cotton Fabric
• Fusible fleece
• Elastic thread

Measure your tablet, add an extra 6cm along the width and 3cm along the length. This allows 1cm seam allowance. This case is for a mini IPAD. The IPAD measures 20 by 13.5cm, the finished case is 16 by 21cm. I, therefore, cut the fabric 18 by 23cm.

Cut two pieces of denim. Utilise the pocket of your former trousers to add detail plus additional storage. Cut two pieces of shirt.

Cut two pieces of interfacing. Iron the interfacing to the denim, think about the grain of the denim.

Cut two pieces of a type of wadding, I used fusible fleece. Bear in mind the thicker the material the more protection but also the impact this has on the internal size of the finished case. Attach to lining fabric.

Pin your lining right sides together. Stitch down the sides, and a couple of cm’s along the bottom of each corner.

Place your denim inside the lining, so that the right side of the denim faces the right side of the lining.

Pin together, ready for stitching together.

Turn right side out. Sew on the button, in the middle of the front of the case.

Slip stitch the bottom of the lining together, and carefully push the lining into the denim.

How many will you be making this year? Have you started to think about Christmas? 

If you love working with old jeans to create new projects check out my

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Carolyn Hoxton

Tuesday 13th of February 2018

Great tutorial, I would leave the bottom of my lining, or side open a few inches, and turn it inside out, when done, easier than to slipstitch the top. But, love the idea, thanks!

Saturday 17th of February 2018

I agree, the bottom of the lining is a great alternative for turning out.

Elmer Anderson

Sunday 13th of November 2016

Such a unique and very useful idea. I might turn one of my pants into a tablet case. Awesome!

Claire Armstrong

Thursday 20th of October 2016

Love this, good tutorial I love denim crafts. I have pinned this to my popular upcycled denim crafts and DIY board.

Friday 21st of October 2016

Thanks for pinning:)

Katy @ SkipTheBag

Wednesday 19th of October 2016

I love this upcycle! Those jeans look adorable as a case. Posts like this would be great for the Waste Less Wednesday Blog Hop. We love upcycles! Check out it out: http://www.skipthebag.com/2016/10/waste-less-wednesday-blog-hop-101916.html

Thanks so much for mentioning, what a great blog hop:) I popping over to join in:)

Great use for an old pair of jeans! I've got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for this evening that features your tutorial: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=90151 --Anne

Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew

Tutorial: Upcycled jeans tablet case

October 19 , by Anne Weaver . 1 Comment

Old jeans can become an awesome new tablet case! Vicky from Vicky Meyers Creations shares a tutorial showing you can make a tablet case out of an old pair of jeans.  Choose a pair of jeans with neat details on the back pockets, because one of those pockets will end up on the front of the tablet case.  Perfect place to put your accessories or notes!

Click below for her tutorial:

Upcycled Denim Tablet Case – Quick DIY Gift , by Vicky Meyers Creations

[photo from Vicky Meyers Creations]

Next Pattern:

• Padded Laptop Case or Tablet Case - DIY Sewing Tutorial
• Easy Quilted Tablet Case - Sewing Tutorial
• Busy Day Tablet Case Sewing Quilt Pattern

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October 19, 2016 at 3:35 pm

What a pretty case! Great idea for using an old pair of jeans.

Have you read?

Upcycled denim pear doorstop – free sewing pattern.

Have you noticed how quickly jeans wear out?  It seems I’m always having to replace a pair of worn out jeans!  Claire of Pillar Box Blue shows how you can turn those worn out jeans into a door stop that’s shaped like a pear.  How’s that for turning something worn out into something useful for your home? 

The thing about worn out jeans is that the majority of the jeans legs will be still in good shape, but the knees or the inner thigh area will be worn to shreds.  I’ll absolutely patch my jeans to get more wear of them, but there’s only so many patch jobs you can do.  Then you’ve a pair of jeans that are past the point of being worn, but with enough useful fabric that it’s hard to just toss them in the trash.

This upcycled denim doorstop is such a great idea for using that fabric.  The pear shape is made from 4 pieces cut from the denim.  The piecing gives a wonderful curved pear shape.  The size and shape of the pattern pieces are perfect for cutting around damaged or shredded spots, too.  You can find the tutorial and free sewing pattern at Pillar Box Blue . 

The free pattern includes variations for two types of pears – a Conference pear which is a taller slimmer variety, and a Comice pear which is shorter and rounder. 

There are plenty of other upcycled denim sewing ideas over at Pillar Box Blue.  So after you make your pear doorstop, you can find other projects that would use up those scraps left over.  There’s an entire section of her blog dedicated to upcycled denim sewing ideas, so I’m sure you’ll find at least a couple (probably more!) of projects you can make from the pieces left over from making the doorstop.

Go to Pillar Box Blue for the upcycled denim pear doorstop.

[photo credit: Pillar Box Blue]

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11 Handmade Gifts for Book Lovers

Giving a bibliophile a coveted new book? Make your gift extra special by pairing it with a handmade accessory.

Alexandra is a former digital editor for MarthaStewart.com.

Joseph De Leo

Do you have someone in your life who lives and breathes books? If so, an avid reader will need some essentials to go along with their reading habit. You can put together a few handmade gifts for them, such as a beautifully crafted bookmark or a set of gilded bookends to keep everything in place.

Handmade gifts like these are perfect because they solve some of the problems that book enthusiasts face on a daily basis—and they are also a wonderful personalized addition to a gifted book. For inspiration, here are some of our favorite DIY gifts for book lovers.

Heirloom Book Box

What could be more of a surprise than a book that opens to reveal treasures and trinkets inside? These wooden boxes, which can be found at your local arts and crafts store, can be custom-painted with acrylic craft paint to mimic a friend's favorite vintage hardcover. Then, fill it with small gifts that fit into the pull-out drawer.

So much of our reading is done digitally these days—Kindle, Apple Books, and Audible included. If your gift recipient is someone who falls into that category, consider this handsome tech case. It's constructed with denim and a felt-lined interior, customizable to any size, for their chosen device's protection.

Tote Bag for Books

Always handy for trips to the library, a plain canvas bag can be transformed with one easy technique: iron-on designs. Use our "Books" clip art and print it on iron-on transfer paper (available at office supply and crafts stores)—then apply it to a tote to create a stylish carryall.

Marbleized Pencils

Readers are, coincidentally, some of the biggest note-takers. Gift them a custom set of marbleized pencils.

Use two shades of craft paint and squeeze it in two parallel, pencil-length strips on a piece of foil. Cover pencil erasers with tape to protect them. Place pencils parallel to paint strips, then roll through the paint. Place pencils on top of plastic cups to dry. (This ensures they won't stick to foil once completely dry.) Remove tape from the erasers, tie a pretty ribbon around them, and delight your book lover.

Gilded Bookends

Add glimmer to their shelves with a little at-home alchemy: Spray-paint any object (like bricks, as pictured here) to transform them into gilded bookends. Start by covering bricks with a towel and then using a hammer to chip the surfaces to create an uneven, aged effect. Apply a coat of paint and let it dry thoroughly. For next to nothing, you've created a stylish support any title would be proud to lean against.

Monogrammed Velvet Ribbon

In this luxe adornment, a strip of velvet trim is stamped with the name or initials of the recipient and paired with their favorite book or a blank journal for an incredible gift.

Cut the ribbon using the book as a guide for measurements: the length of the front and back covers, plus binding, and add 2 inches (the extra ribbon on ends will wrap around the inside covers). Use a fabric pen on the reverse side of the ribbon to mark the placement of alphabet rubber stamps for spelling out the recipient's name.

Preheat an iron to the cotton or wool setting. Place the rubber stamp, relief side up, on a sturdy, heatproof surface. Place the ribbon, pile side down, over the stamp. Using the portion of the iron's soleplate that has no steam holes, press down evenly on the ribbon, covering the stamp. Keep it there for 10 to 30 seconds, then lift the iron straight up. (If the ribbon sticks to the iron, the heat setting may be too high, or the velvet may contain heat-sensitive synthetics.) Attach the ribbon by carefully applying a low-moisture paste-style glue to the inside front cover and secure the ribbon end. Let dry, then wrap the ribbon around the book and glue it to the inside back cover.

Sashiko Bookmark

The traditional Japanese art of sashiko is a type of mending meant to be seen—and it has found new life in the era of slow fashion and visible mending. It is so beautiful; who would ever want to hide it? It also makes it a lovely choice for adorning a bookmark.

Waterproof Book Covers

A trip to the beach is best spent with a good summer read. But water, sand, and reading never mix. To protect the pages, offer a set of waterproof book covers made of vibrant-colored oilcloth. To make one, cut a rectangle of oilcloth as wide as the object you want to hold, plus 1/2 inch for seams, and 2 1/4 times its height (for a horizontal pouch, flip these dimensions). Fold to form a pocket shape with right side facing outward, stitch up the edges, and then add self-adhesive Velcro fasteners to secure.

Tassel Bookmark

Here is an easy yet beautiful accessory that any book lover would appreciate: A tassel-topped bookmark in contrasting colors. Tassels can be made in any mix of metallic and cotton embroidery floss, silk bead cord, and fine silk thread—and in any size. Follow our tassel instructions below, and then attach your creation to a bookmark in a complementary shade.

Decorative Book Cover

For a back-to-school surprise, craft a fun book cover for the student in your life. Or use the same instructions with different art—think vintage maps or wallpaper—for a grown-up version to encase a precious gifted book. Either way, a basic cover can go a long way in jazzing up (and protecting!) a beloved book.

Japanese Bound Book

Notes, drawings, and sweet nothings can be hand-bound into a book your recipient will cherish forever. Alternatively, make it blank for a beautiful journal in which they can keep their reading lists and notes. (Best yet, it's made from decorative fabric scraps and cardboard.)

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BUBM Electronic Accessories Organizer, Double Layer Travel Gadget Bag for Cable, USB Hard Drive, Earphone and More, A Padded Pouch Fits for iPad or up to 9.7" Tablet,Denim Gray

Large(Fit for 9.7" iPad Tablet)

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About this item.

• PREMIUM QUALITY: The travel cord management is made of heavy-duty, durable and waterproof nylon material. Zippers closure ensure your item secure.
• EXCELLENT PROTECTION: The electronic travel organizer with well padded semi-flexible interior will offer great protection for your device and accessories. The dimension of the largest pocket for iPad is L10.1" x W7.5".
• LARGE CAPACITY: This travel cable storage bag has double layer compartment with multiple mesh pockets and elastic loops to hold various items, like charger, wire, flash disk, external drive, power bank, phone, etc.
• COMPACT ORGANIZER: The electronic cord organizer travel case can keep all your stuffs in one place and no more in mess. You can easily find what you want.
• LIFESAVER: The travel gear bag is easy to fit into your luggage, backpack, briefcase. Perfect for daily home storage or travel. Dimension: 11" x8.3" x 2"; Weight: 0.24kg

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BUBM is known as popular Electronic Accessories Organizer Brands. We are specialized in producing Electronic Accessories Organizer for Cables, USB Flash Drive, Plug and More , Travel Gadget Bag to meet customers’ needs. Our team designs practical organizer bags continuously based on our strong R&D and production. As a prominent seller, we are also devoted to providing better service for our customers worldwide.

Electronic Accessory Organizer

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Product description.

First Layer

Second layer.

Water-Resistant

• Made of durable and water-resistant nylon protect your accessories.

Elastic Loops

• Elastic loops keep your cables tidy and prevent from falling out.

Sleeve Pouch With Cover

• Perfect size for holding 9.7'' iPad, protect your devices from bumps and scratches.

Internal Material

• The sleeve pouch with cover made of flexible and durable material, it's good for long-term use without any distortion.

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tablet and cord organizer - stay organized on your trip

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Technical details, additional information, warranty & support, customer reviews.

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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the build quality, storage capacity, and organization of the carrier bag case. They mention it's solidly made, has amazing space for everything, and keeps everything organized. Customers also appreciate the size, saying it fits neatly within their backpacks or roller cases. They also like the design, saying the colors are vibrant.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the build quality of the product. They mention it's solidly made and well-designed. Customers also appreciate that it keeps everything together and protects their adapters.

"...It's just an outstanding, well-considered but superbly designed Gear Bag." Read more

"...case, I don't know how well the zippers work but they appear to be solidly made . Love how the case is Orange so its easy to find...." Read more

"...The colors are great; vibrant but not neon bright. The material seems sturdy and like it would hold up to wear and tear, but time will tell on that;..." Read more

" Well constructed and good layout for carrying devices and accessories. It fits a Lenovo Tab 4 10.1 in a case which was important to me...." Read more

Customers like the storage capacity of the carrier bag case. They mention it has amazing space for everything, side pockets, and pouches for their AirFly, 10000mAh power bank, and GlocalMe internet device. It works great and stores plenty of tech things. Customers also say it holds enough for two cell phones, two cameras, earbuds, SD cards, and extra batteries. They say it's well-constructed and has a good layout for carrying devices and accessories.

"...If tablets aren't what you're thinking, the pocket is perfect for more hard drives , a passport, or similarly sized objects...." Read more

"...The organization value of this product is awesome . My daughter packed away her iPad Air 2 and all her accessories in this with room to spare...." Read more

"...The size is perfect, many compartments to use but the possible mold is a huge issue." Read more

"Well constructed and good layout for carrying devices and accessories . It fits a Lenovo Tab 4 10.1 in a case which was important to me...." Read more

Customers like the organization of the carrier bag case. They mention it keeps everything organized and easy to find. The compartments and elastic holders keep everything organized. It's a great organizer for all their adapters, chargers, and battery back-up units. It has pockets for other related items.

"...seem a little bulky, but in the long run, it is a safer and cleaner way to organize all your travel accessories...." Read more

"...The compartments and elastic holders kept everything organized and held in place." Read more

"...But other than that, I love that this small portable bag keeps all my chords separate , organized, and untangled...." Read more

"...It’s also helpful for keeping all the cords for various devices when I am not traveling. It’s kept me from losing things and helps me stay organized." Read more

Customers like the size of the carrier bag case. They mention it fits neatly within their backpacks or roller cases. They also say it's a nice large case that even holds their power bars. Customers also say the size makes it suitable for carrying a tablet and a great way to manage electronic footprint. They say they can fit all their cords, power banks, and accessories in it.

"...Then, the entire bag (it's very flexible as well) fits neatly within my backpack or roller case...." Read more

"...One side has two large mesh pockets. Perfect for a small SSD /External Hardrive in one side, and perhaps a Laptop charging brick in the other...." Read more

"...The size is perfect , many compartments to use but the possible mold is a huge issue." Read more

"...Yes. It served my needs and despite it being a bit too large , it's a good case." Read more

Customers like the design of the product. They mention it looks great, has a stylish organization, and awesome colors.

"...It's just an outstanding, well-considered but superbly designed Gear Bag ." Read more

"...The colors are great ; vibrant but not neon bright...." Read more

"One of these appeared on a co-worker's desk and I loved the look and organization possibilities ...." Read more

"... I love the color . The build quality is good. Packaging is excellent. Padding all around. And, did I mention I like the color?" Read more

Customers like the functionality of the carrier bag case. They mention it's useful, works well for organization when traveling, and is perfect for their needs. Some say it'll keep them from losing things and helps them stay organized.

"...Original review: Product came and looks like it will work really well for organization when traveling however when opened it looked like it was..." Read more

"... Worked great for me . Held way more than I expected" Read more

"...Despite thes annoyances, the watch has been a great tool for tracking my progress ...." Read more

"...It’s kept me from losing things and helps me stay organized." Read more

Customers like the cable management of the carrier bag case. They mention it works with multiple cables and can also carry a DVD/CD burner. Customers also say it's perfect for getting all your cables together and great for traveling through airport security. They appreciate the options of all the cable slots.

"...The options of all the cable slots is very helpful !" Read more

"This product works as intended - it controls all the cables that I take with me on longer vacations where I plan to take my DSLR...." Read more

"This is a great product. Not only will it work with multiple cables , but you can also carry a DVD/CD burner and/or compact hard drive as well as a..." Read more

"This thing is super cool and makes organizing cords and other electronic items really easy! Lots of space and pockets! LOVE IT!!" Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the zipper safety of the carrier bag case. Some mention the zipper seems OK, while others say it snags.

"...never have to go searching for anything again, but the zippers will ensure the safety of your contents never falling out...." Read more

"...As manufactured the zipper pulls are clunky and inelegant.So, I've decided to keep both...." Read more

"...weight, I use shorter cables while traveling and this zippered gear carrier is perfect ...." Read more

"...using it for only a few months (since September), the zipper is already getting stuck on the fabric and beginning to tear the fabric...." Read more

Reviews with images

Serviceable, but not excellent. Still, useful.

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Why was Novgorod a unique city in medieval Russia?

As the most prominent and powerful city of northwestern Rus in the Middle Ages, and being very popular with European merchants, Novgorod was unlike any other settlement in the lands of the Eastern Slavs during that era.

Traditionally, medieval Russian cities grew around the main fortress, which was the political and religious heart of the community. Novgorod, however, emerged from a union of three settlements inhabited by different Slavic tribes. For them, it became a “new city” – this is how “Novgorod” is literally translated from Russian ( Novy – “new”, and gorod – “city”).

In the 14th and 15th centuries, during its heyday as a commercial and political power, the city of Novgorod was officially known as Gospodin Velikiy Novgorod – literally “The Great Master Novgorod”. The city was almost an empire, controlling vast lands from the Baltic Sea in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east, and from the White Sea in the north to the upper Volga in the south. After Kiev, it was the second most powerful city in medieval Rus.

Commerce: Making Novgorod great

Novgorod market in the 17th century

International commerce was the foundation of Novgorod's prosperity, which truly made it great and powerful. The local craftsmen – weavers and tanners, jewelers and glass blowers, potters and foundry workers, gunsmiths and locksmiths – were famous throughout the Russian lands. But Novgorod also did a brisk trade with Western Europe via the Baltic Sea trade routes.

By the end of the 13th century, merchants from the Hanseatic League developed strong trade relations with Novgorod. The Hanseatic League was the largest trade association of merchants from major German cities situated along the Baltic and North seas, but it also maintained four representative offices outside of the German-speaking world – in Novgorod, Bruges, Bergen and London.

Guests from over the sea, Nikolai Rerikh, 1901

The German merchants came to Novgorod to make wholesale purchases, and deals were concluded at the Hanseatic League's representative office. However, a merchant from any other Russian city couldn't enter the office's territory and make deals there.

European merchants were eager to come to Novgorod to sell prized luxury goods such as wine, expensive fabrics, ornamental stones, and precious metals. In return, Novgorod sold fine and precious furs such as squirrel, weasel, and sable. Novgorod also massively exported honey, leather, wax (which Europe needed to make church candles), and walrus ivory.

Boyar republic

Velikiy Novgorod

Novgorod’s political system was unique among the myriad of city-states and principalities of medieval Rus; it was ruled by a small circle of boyar families that owned huge fiefdoms both near the city and in remote northern lands. The title of boyar in Novgorod was hereditary, a fact that distinguished the city from the rest of Russia, where the title of boyar usually was bestowed upon military commanders who were close to the Rurikid princes. The fact that Novgorod was ruled solely by locally-born aristocracy was actually a prominent feature in the principality’s unique form of republican government.

READ MORE: Who were the Russian boyars?

Unlike the boyars in the rest of the Russian lands, the boyars of Novgorod weren’t military commanders. Rather, they were locally-born landowners and high-profile international traders who also were proficient in politics. The supreme authority in Novgorod was the Veche , a kind of parliament that included the wealthiest and most influential men in the city. The upper part of the Veche included at least 300 boyars – 14th century German sources report that the main assembly in Novgorod was called the "300 golden belts".

The Veche met in public on the square near the central market, and its convocation was announced by the famous Veche bell, a symbol of Novgorod’s freedom and independence. The veche was not unique to Novgorod, however, and it was also a feature of the political system in other cities of medieval Rus until the time when Moscow began to solidify control over the other principalities to form a centralized Russian state. Only in Novgorod did the Veche exist up to the 15th century.

The Veche was so powerful that it elected and could even expel the prince; it also issued laws, declared war and made peace, established taxes and duties. Also, the members of the Veche chose a posadnik , who was the managerial head of the city. He monitored whether the prince fulfilled the terms of the agreement with the city, as well as managed Novgorod’s possessions and was responsible for law enforcement, the courts, and even signed diplomatic treaties. The prince of Novgorod had to represent the city to the other Russian lands and was responsible for the city’s defense.

The political life of Novgorodians, however, was not limited to the central Veche; ordinary Novgorodians also had the chance to participate in the city’s local street and district veches. The boyars used these meetings to promote their interests and fight against their opponents.

The city’s religious authorities enjoyed great freedom ever since the people of Novgorod were able to secure autonomy for their archbishop. From the beginning of the 12th century, the Kiev bishop (known as a “metropolitan”) basically rubber stamped whatever candidate was proposed by the Novgorodians for this position. The archbishop had his own regiment for protection, participated in diplomatic negotiations and put his official seal on international agreements.

Liberty in princes

Yaroslav the Wise, Nikolai Rerikh, 1941-1942

Restriction of the rights of the princes began in Novgorod during the lifetime of Yaroslav the Wise (978 – 1054), who agreed to give special privileges to the Novgorod boyars vis-a-vis the prince in exchange for support in the struggle for control of Kiev. Novgorod did not develop a separate princely dynasty after the death of Yaroslav, because the city was at the source of the trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks” and was closely connected with Kiev. When he died in 1054, Yaroslav the Wise bequeathed Kiev and Novgorod to his eldest son. As a result, the princely line that ruled Kiev usually chose a prince to rule in Novgorod, or Novgorod had the same prince as Kiev did.

In 1136, a rebellion in Novgorod led to the expulsion of the prince. From then on, the Novgorodians invited princes themselves and concluded a temporary agreement with them, according to which they could not interfere in the affairs of city management, change the highest officials and acquire lands on the outskirts of the Novgorod republic. In case of any violation of the agreement, the prince was expelled from the city, and the Veche selected a new candidate. Such changes more than once had a serious impact on the life of all the principalities of Rus.

Despite such treatment of the princes, all the major figures of Kievan Rus, who were the builders of the future united Russian state – from Vladimir the Great to Vladimir Monomakh – reigned in Novgorod before ascending the throne in Kiev. Symbolically, Novgorod was also the first place where Rurik reigned in Russia.

The most literate city in Russia

Birch bark letter #1

On July 26, 1951, archaeological excavations in Novgorod found the first letter written on birch bark, with a discernible text carved on the surface. In total, more than 1100 such letters were found in Novgorod and about 100 in other cities of medieval Russia.

The analysis of Novgorod’s birch-bark letters allowed scholars to reconstruct the everyday life of the city and its inhabitants over the course of the 11th to the 15th centuries, which was the golden era of the Novgorod Republic.

The texts on birch bark testify to widespread literacy among the people of Novgorod who wrote to each other often and on a variety of matters, where they discussed household affairs, commercial transactions, as well as court decisions and simply the local gossip. Both men and women were literate, which was unheard of for Western Europe at this time.

READ MORE: How did single women survive in Tsarist Russia?

The birch-barks showed that the position of women in Novgorod society was quite prominent, and they conducted their own affairs, concluded commercial transactions, dispatched their husbands orders, as well as appeared in court, including on financial issues; and in general were actively engaged in economic activity.

Among the letters there were also touching declarations of love, such as the famous letter written by an unknown young woman in the 12th century: "I sent to you three times. What evil do you have against me that you did not come to me?" Another birch-bark letter contains one of the first records of Russian cursing.

Novgorod's heroes, its tragic fall and legacy today

Sadko, Ilya Repin, 1876

Novgorod’s political structure and the nature of its economy created special cultural and real heroes. Unlike the characters of the Russian bylinas who spend their time lying on the stove and waiting for an opportunity to stand up for the fatherland, Novgorod's main hero, Sadko, who is a handsome man, as well as gusli player and merchant, is relentless in his pursuit of money and fame. He successfully swindles the sea tsar and wraps him around his finger, and once he is rich, he swears to buy up all Novgorod’s goods. In some versions of the legend he even succeeds.

Another atypical Novgorod hero, one not from a bylina but rather someone from real history, was the leader of the local resistance against Moscow. Marfa Boretskaya (or Marfa Posadnitsa because Marfa's second husband was a posadnik) came from an influential boyar family and owned vast tracts of land that were already in her family’s possession, as well as those lands that she inherited after the death of her first husband.

The taking away of the Novgorod Veche bell. Marfa Posadnitsa. 1889

When in the 15th century the Grand Prince of Moscow, Ivan III, began to unite the Russian lands by conquering other cities, Marfa entered into negotiations with the Lithuanian Grand Duke to propose a merger with Novgorod on the condition that it maintains its rights of autonomy.

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Having learned about the negotiations, Ivan III declared war on Novgorod, and in 1478 the republic ceased to exist. As a sign of the abolition of Novgorod’s Veche, the famous bell was taken to Moscow, and the most promised townspeople were repressed. Marfa's lands were confiscated, and she herself soon died.

Nevertheless, while Novgorod has long disappeared from the map as an independent political entity, its legacy resonates today in the modern era. At the dawn of Russian history Novogorod accepted Rurik to reign, thereby laying the foundation of Russian statehood. Also, the city and its republican form of government showed that the path to rigid centralization and the absolute power of the Grand Prince was not the only possible political path for Russia.

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