Principality of Chernigov

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The Principality of Chernigov is one of the largest and strongest state formations of Kievan Rus in 11th–13th century. The greater part of Chernigov Principality was located on the left bank of the river Dnieper within the Basins of Desna and Seim. The principality was mostly populated by Siverians and partially by Polans. Later the territory of the principality was extended to the lands of Radimichs and partially Vyatichs and Drehovichs. The capital of the principality was the city of Chernigov, modern Chernihiv. Other cities were Novgorod-Seversk, Starodub, Bryansk, Putyvl, Kursk, Lubech, Glukhov, Chechersk, Gomel, Vyr, etc. Ownership and influence of the Chernigov Principality reached far to the North (the Murom-Ryazan Land) and to the South-East (Tmutorokan Principality).

Before the 11th century, the principality was ruled by local (tribal) elderly and voevodes from Kiev that were appointed by the Grand Prince to collect tribute from the local population, to manage judicial trials, and to defend the land from external enemies, mostly nomads. In the years 1024–1036 the principality of Chernigov was owned by Mstislav of Chernigov who came there from Tmutorokan. After Yaroslav the Wise the principality of Chernigov was inherited by his son Sviatoslav, who gave rise to the Chernigov branch of Rurikids. During a certain time the principality was ruled by Volodymyr Monomakh, but according to the decision of Lubeck Congress (1097) Sviatoslav’s sons Oleg and Danylo and their descendants got it. At the same time Cherhihiv Principality was split into apanage principalities: Chernigov, Novgorod-Seversk and Murom-Ryazan. Nonetheless the influence of Chernigov Princes remained large and they retained the title of grand princes. The capital of the principality, Chernigov, was one of the largest economic and cultural centers of Kievan Rus. The Chernigov dynasty possessed Kiev for some time in the 11th–13th centuries.

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