The princes and principalities of Ancient Rus in the period of disunity

After the death of the Kievan Prince Yaroslav the Wise in 1054 in Russia began the process of disintegration of the previously uniform state. Similar events took place in Western Europe. It was the General tendency of the feudal middle Ages. Gradually Russia was divided into several de facto independent principalities with common traditions, culture and the Rurik dynasty. Most important for the country became 1132, when he died, Mstislav the Great. It is this date that historians consider the beginning of the finally established political fragmentation. In this state of Rus lasted until the mid-thirteenth century when it survived the invasion of the Mongol-Tatar troops.

Kiev land

For many years, the Principality of ancient Rus was divided, merged, changed the ruling branch of the dynasty of Rurik, etc. However, despite the confusion of these events, there are several key parts that played the most important role in life of the country. Even after the actual collapse of the de jure is considered the senior Prince of Kiev.

Control "mother of Russian cities” tried to establish a variety of rulers. Therefore, if the principalities of ancient Rus ' had its own hereditary dynasty, Kiev is most often passed from hand to hand. After the death of Mstislav Vladimirovich in 1132, the city briefly became the property of Chernigov rurikids. This did not suit other members of the dynasty. Because of the ensuing wars of the first Kiev lost control of Pereyaslavl, Turov and Vladimir-Volyn Principality, and then (in 1169) and all was plundered by the army of Andrei Bogolyubsky and finally lost its political significance.

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Chernigov

The principalities of ancient Rus at Chernigov land belonged to the descendants of Svyatoslav Yaroslavovich. They have long been in conflict with Kiev. Chernihiv dynasty for several decades been divided into two branches: the ol'govichi and Davidovich. With each generation there are more new fiefdoms, otkalyvalis from Chernigov (Novgorod-Seversk, Bryansk, Kursk, etc.).

The Most prominent ruler of this region historians believe Svyatoslav Olgovich. He was an ally of Yuri Dolgoruky. With their allied feast in Moscow in 1147 starts confirmed by the annals of the history of the capital of Russia. When the Principality of ancient Rus ' was United in the struggle against appeared in the East of the Mongols, rulers of the Chernigov land made with the rest of Rurik's and was defeated on the river Kalka. Invasion of the steppe were not all Principality, and only its Eastern part. However, it acknowledged itself a vassal of the Golden Horde (after the painful death of Mikhail Vsevolodovich). In the XIV century Chernihiv, along with many neighboring cities were annexed to Lithuania.

Polotsk region

In Polotsk ruled Izyaslavich (descendants of Izyaslav Vladimirovich). This branch of the Rurik stood out before the others. In addition, Polotsk first began the armed struggle for independence from Kiev. The earliest such war happened in the beginning of XI century.

Like the other principalities of ancient Rus in the period of disunity, Polotsk has since broken up into several small principalities (Vitebsk, Minsk, Drutsk, etc.). Part of these cities as a result of wars and dynastic marriages moved to Smolensk in Moscow. But the most dangerous opponents of Polotsk, no doubt, were the Lithuanians. First, these Baltic tribes staged predatory raids on Russian lands. Then they moved on to conquest. In 1307 Polotsk became part of the fledgling Lithuanian state.

Volyn

In Volyn (South-West of modern Ukraine) has distinguished two major political center-Vladimir-Volyn, and Galich. After becoming independent from Kiev, the Principality began to compete with each other for leadership in the region. At the end of the XII century Roman Mstislavich United the two cities. His Principality was given the name of Galicia-Volyn. The influence of the monarch was so great that he sheltered the exiled crusaders from Constantinople of the Byzantine Emperor Alexios III.

The Son of Roman Daniel his fame has eclipsed his father's success. He successfully fought against the poles, Hungarians and Mongols periodically formed an Alliance with someone of the neighbors. In 1254 Daniel even took from the Pope the title of king of Russia, hoping to help Western Europe in the struggle against the steppe. After his death of Galicia-Volyn Principality fell into disrepair. At first it was divided into several portions, and then was seized by Poland. The fragmentation of the Ancient Rus', the Principality which was constantly at odds with each other, prevented her to fight against external threats.

Smolensk

Smolensk Principality was located in the geographical center of Russia. It became independent when the son of Mstislav the Great Rostislav. At the end of the XII century, the Principality of Ancient Rus, once again began a fierce struggle for Kiev. The main contenders for power in the ancient capital was Smolensk and Chernigov princes.

The top of the power the descendants of Rostislavreached when Mstislav Romanovich. In 1214-1223. he rules not only Smolensk, but also in Kiev. This Prince was the initiator of the first antimongoloid coalition, which suffered a defeat on the Kalka. Subsequently, the Smolensk suffered less than others during the invasion. Nevertheless, its rulers paid tribute to the Golden Horde. Gradually, the Duchy was sandwiched between gaining influence Lithuania and Moscow. Independence in such circumstances could not be long. As a result, in 1404 the Lithuanian Prince Vitovt naturally annexed Smolensk to his possessions.

Outpost.

The Ryazan Principality occupied the lands on the Middle Oka river. It is separated from the possessions of the rulers of Chernigov. In 1160-ies from Ryazan broke Moore. Mongol invasion hurt the land. The people, the princes, the Principality of ancient Rus ' understood the threat posed by the Eastern conquerors. In 1237 Ryazan was the first Russian towns were destroyed by the nomads. In the future, the Principality struggled with the gaining force Moscow. For example, the Ryazan Governor Oleg Ivanovich has long been an opponent of Dmitry Donskoy. Ryazan gradually handed over the position. It was annexed by Moscow in 1521.

Novgorod Republic

The Historic characteristics of the kingdoms of Ancient Russia cannot be complete without mention of the Novgorod Republic. This state is lived according to its particular political and social order. Here was established an aristocratic Republic with a strong influence of the popular chamber. The princes were elected generals (they were invited from other Russian lands).

Similar political system has developed in Pskov, which was called “younger brother of Novgorod”. These two cities were the centers of international trade. In comparison with other Russian political centers they had more total contacts with Western Europe. After the Baltic States captured the Catholic military monastic order, among the knights and Novgorod began serious friction. The climax of this struggle is reached in 1240-ies. It was then that the Swedes and Germans alternately defeated Prince Alexander Nevsky. When almost completed a historic journey from Ancient Russia to the Grand Duchy of Moscow, the Republic was left alone with Ivan III. He conquered Novgorod in 1478.

The North-Eastern Russia

The First political centers of North-Eastern Russia in the XI-XII centuries. was Rostov, Suzdal and Vladimir. It was ruled by the descendants of Monomakh and his younger son, Yuri Dolgoruky. The successors of father Andrey Bogolyubsky and Vsevolod the Big Nest has strengthened the authority of the Vladimir Principality, making it the largest and strongest in the fragmented Russia.

When the children of Vsevolod the Big Nest began a major civil war. Began to appear the first fiefdoms. But the real disaster came in the North-Eastern Russia together with the Mongols. Nomads devastated this land and burned many of his city. During the Tartar dominion of the khans recognized the princes of Vladimir senior for the whole of Russia. Edit there were put those who have received a special label.

In the fight for Vladimir stood out two new enemy: Tver and Moscow. The peak of the confrontation occurred at the beginning of the XIV century. In this competition the winner was Moscow. Gradually its princes joined the North-Eastern Russia, overthrew the Mongol-Tatar yoke, and ultimately created a unified Russian state (the first Tsar in 1547 became Ivan the terrible).