Alexander Nevsky and the Northern Crusaders. The Struggle for Spheres of Influence in Eastern Baltic in the 13th Century.

Denis Khrustalёv – a Russian historian, researcher of Russian and European Middle Ages. Author of many scientific studies, including such monographs as "Investigations on Yefrem of Pereyaslav", "The Mongol Invasion of Rus", "Witchcraft in Rus", "Notebooks of Merchant Afanasy", "The Challenge of Emperor Paul", as well as commented translations of such works as "The Origin of the Idea of Crusade" by Karl Erdmann, "Witches of Varboys" and "Demonology of King James".
The history of the struggle for spheres of influence in Eastern Baltic between Russian principalities, which formally owned the region in the 11th–12th centuries, and German missionaries, crusaders, colonists, who formed there in the 13th century a feudal confederation, spreading power over most of Livonia, Latgalia, and Estonia, is presented separately. The history of wars between these Livonians and Sweden with Novgorod for control over Finland and Karelia, as well as the conquest of the areas of Izhora and Vod are particularly highlighted. The most important battles of those years are specially examined – the Neva Battle of 1240, the Ice Battle of 1242, the Rakovor Battle of 1268, and others. The material is presented in utmost detail based on all available sources, both domestic and foreign: from "the pressure to the East" to counter-conquests and the activities of Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky.