Princes and princedoms of Ancient Rus in the period of fragmentation

After the death of Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kiev in 1054, the process of disintegration of a previously unified state began in Russia. Similar events occurred in Western Europe. This was the general tendency of the feudal Middle Ages. Gradually, Rus was divided into several de facto independent principalities with common traditions, culture and dynasty of Rurik. The most important for the country was 1132, when Mstislav the Great died. It is this date historians consider the beginning of the final political disunity. In this condition, Rus existed until the middle of the XIII century, when it survived the invasion of Mongol-Tatar troops.

The Kiev earth

For many years, the princedoms of ancient Russia were divided, united, the ruling branches of the Rurik dynasty changed, etc. However, despite the intricacies of these events, several key areas that played the most important role in the life of the country can be identified. Even after the de facto decay, the Kiev prince was considered the eldest.

Control over the "mother of Russian cities" tried to establish a variety of specific rulers. Therefore, if the princedoms of ancient Russia had their own hereditary dynasties, Kiev most often passed from hand to hand. After the death of Mstislav Vladimirovich in 1132, the city for a short time became the property of the Chernigov Rurikovichs. This did not suit other representatives of the dynasty. Because of the ensuing wars, Kiev first ceased to control the Pereyaslavl, Turov and Volodymyr-Volyn princedoms, and then (in 1169) was completely plundered by the army of Andrei Bogolyubsky and finally lost its political significance.

Chernigov

Specific principalities of ancient Russia on Chernigov land belonged to the descendants of Svyatoslav Yaroslavovich. For a long time they were in conflict with Kiev. The Chernigov dynasty for several decades was divided into two branches: the Olgovichi and the Davydovic. With each generation, there were more and more new princedoms that split from Chernigov (Novgorod-Seversky, Bryansk, Kursk, etc.).

The most vivid ruler of this region historians believe Svyatoslav Olgovich. He was an ally of Yuri Dolgoruky. It was with their alliance in Moscow in 1147 that the history of the capital of Russia, confirmed by annals, begins. When the principalities of ancient Rus united in the struggle against the Mongols that appeared in the east, the specific rulers of the Chernigov land came out together with the rest of the Rurik people and were defeated on the Kalka River. The invasion of the steppe inhabitants affected not all the principality, but only its eastern part. Nevertheless, it recognized itself as a vassal of the Golden Horde (after the painful death of Mikhail Vsevolodovich). In the XIV century, Chernigov, along with many neighboring cities, was annexed to Lithuania.

Polotsk Region

In Polotsk, Izyaslavichi ruled (the descendants of Izyaslav Vladimirovich). This branch of Rurikovich stood out before the others. In addition, Polotsk was the first to launch an armed struggle for independence from Kiev. The earliest such war happened at the beginning of the XI century.

Like other princedoms of ancient Rus during the period of fragmentation, Polotsk eventually split into several small areas (Vitebsk, Minsk, Drutsky, etc.). Part of these cities as a result of wars and dynastic marriages passed to the Smolensk Rurikovich. But the most dangerous opponents of Polotsk, no doubt, were the Lithuanians. At first these Baltic tribes made predatory raids on Russian lands. Then they moved on to conquest. In 1307, Polotsk finally became part of the gathering power of the Lithuanian state.

Volhynia

In Volyn (south-west of modern Ukraine) there were two major political centers - Vladimir-Volynsky and Galich. Having become independent of Kiev, these princedoms began to compete with each other for leadership in the region. At the end of the 12th century Roman Mstislavovich united two cities. His principality was called Galicia-Volynsky. The monarch's influence was so great that he sheltered the Byzantine emperor Alexei III, expelled from Constantinople by the crusaders.

The son of Roman Daniel, his glory, eclipsed the success of his father. He successfully fought against the Poles, Hungarians and Mongols, periodically making alliances with someone from the neighbors. In 1254, Daniel even received from the Pope the title of King of Russia, hoping for the help of Western Europe in the struggle against the steppe people. After his death the Galicia-Volyn principality fell into decay. At first it broke up into a few grains, and then it was captured by Poland. The fragmentation of Ancient Rus, whose principalities were constantly at odds with each other, prevented her from fighting against external threats.

Smolensk Region

The Smolensk Principality was in the geographical center of Russia. It became independent with the son of Mstislav the Great Rostislav. At the end of the 12th century the princedoms of Ancient Rus again began a fierce struggle for Kiev. The main contenders for power in the ancient capital were the Smolensk and Chernihiv rulers.

The heights of power Rostislav's descendants reached under Mstislav Romanovich. In 1214-1223 years. He ruled not only Smolensk, but also Kiev. It was this prince who initiated the first anti-Mongolian coalition, which was defeated on Kalka. Subsequently Smolensk suffered less than others during the invasion. Nevertheless, his rulers paid tribute to the Golden Horde. Gradually, the principality was clamped between the gaining influence of Lithuania and Moscow. Independence in such conditions could not be long. As a consequence, in 1404 the Lithuanian prince Vitovt naturally added Smolensk to his possessions.

Outpost on the Oka River

The Ryazan principality occupied the lands in the Central Oka. It was separated from the possessions of the Chernigov rulers. In the 1160s, Moore broke away from Ryazan. The Mongol invasion painfully hit this edge. Residents, princes, princedoms of ancient Russia did not understand the threat emanating from the eastern conquerors. In 1237 Ryazan was the first of the Russian cities destroyed by steppe people. In the future, the principality struggled with Moscow gaining strength. For example, Ryazan ruler Oleg Ivanovich for a long time was an opponent of Dmitry Donskoy. Gradually, Ryazan gave up positions. It was annexed to Moscow in 1521.

Novgorod Republic

The historical description of principalities of Ancient Rus can not be complete without mentioning the Novgorod republic. This state lived according to its particular political and social order. Here an aristocratic republic was established with the strong influence of the popular council. The princes were elected military commanders (they were invited from other Russian lands).

A similar political system emerged in Pskov, which was called "the younger brother of Novgorod." These two cities were the centers of international trade. In comparison with other Russian political centers, they had the most contacts with Western Europe. After the Baltic military monastic orders were seized, serious friction began between the knights and Novgorod. The struggle reached its apogee in the 1240s. It was then that the Swedes and the Germans were successively defeated by Prince Alexander Nevsky. When the historical path from Ancient Rus to the Grand Duchy of Moscow almost ended , the republic remained one on one with Ivan III. He conquered Novgorod in 1478.

North-Eastern Russia

The first political centers of North-Eastern Russia in the XI-XII centuries. Were Rostov, Suzdal and Vladimir. Here the descendants of Monomakh and his youngest son Yury Dolgoruky ruled. The successors of the father Andrei Bogolyubsky and Vsevolod the Big Nest strengthened the authority of the Vladimir principality, making it the largest and strongest in the fragmented Russia.

With the children of Vsevolod the Big Nest began a large internecine war. The first princedoms began to appear. However, real disasters came to North-East Russia along with the Mongols. The nomads ravaged this region, burned many of its cities. During the Horde's reign, the khans recognized the Vladimir princes as the eldest in all of Russia. Edit there put those who received a special label.

In the fight for Vladimir, two new enemies emerged: Tver and Moscow. The peak of their confrontation occurred at the beginning of the XIV century. In this competition, Moscow was the winner. Gradually, her princes united North-Eastern Russia, overthrew the Mongol-Tatar yoke and eventually created a single Russian state (Ivan the Terrible became its first tsar in 1547).