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5 - The Rus’ principalities (1125–1246)

from Part I - Early Rus’ and the Rise of Muscovy (c. 900–1462)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2008

By
Martin Dimnik
Edited by
Maureen Perrie
Maureen Perrie
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham
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Summary

Introduction

The years 1125 to 1246 witnessed the creation of new principalities and eparchies, the flourishing of some and the demise of others. During this period the system of lateral succession governed the political hierarchy of princes within individual dynasties in their promotions to the office of senior prince, and the political hierarchy of senior princes between different dynasties in their rivalries for Kiev, the capital of Rus’.

From the earliest times, it appears, the princes of Rus’ followed a system of succession governed by genealogical seniority. It dictated that, after the senior prince of the dynasty died, his eldest surviving brother replaced him. After all the brothers had ruled in rotation, succession went to the eldest surviving nephew. Vladimir Sviatoslavich (d. 1015) had no surviving brothers. Before his death, therefore, he designated his eldest son, Sviatopolk, to rule Kiev. The latter, fearing that his brothers would usurp power from him, waged war against them. In the end, Iaroslav ‘the Wise’ (Mudryi) was the victor.

Iaroslav, evidently following the example of his father Vladimir, gave hereditary domains to his sons and observed the principle of lateral succession (for a fuller discussion of dynastic politics 1015–1125, see Chapter 4). Hoping to obviate future fratricidal wars, however, he changed the nature of succession to Kiev. He granted his three eldest surviving sons and their descendants, the inner circle so to speak, the right to rule Kiev. Accordingly, his two youngest sons, Igor’ and Viacheslav, became debarred or izgoi. He designated the eldest son, Iziaslav, to replace him in Kiev.

Keywords

Mikhail VsevolodovichMstislav RomanovichAndrei BogoliubskiiIurii DolgorukiiSviatoslav VsevolodovichRiver KalkaRus' principalitiesVladimir Monomakh's successorsRiurik RostislavichVsevolod Big Nest
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge History of Russia , pp. 98 - 126
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2006

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