The rulers of Russia in chronological order from Rurik to the decline of the Grand Duchy of Kyiv. Prince Mstislav the Great

Grand Duke Mstislav Vladimirovich (overview)
(1076- 1132)
Reign: 1125-1132

Mstislav Vladimirovich became the Grand Duke, contrary to the will of Yaroslav the Wise: his uncles and children from his father's older brothers were still alive. But no one dared to object to his great reign.
Mstislav showed himself as a courageous warrior and a generous ruler.
Having become the Grand Duke, he gave his brothers inheritances: Vsevolod-Novgorod, Yaropolk-Pereyaslavl, Yuri-Rostov, Andrei-Vladimir-Volynsky, Vyacheslav-Turov; son Izyaslav received Kursk, and Rostislav received Smolensk.
The Polovtsy, having learned about the death of Monomakh, hoped that now it was possible to resume predatory raids on Rus'. Yaropolk Vladimirovich did not allow this, repelling their attack. In 1127, Mstislav declared himself the patron of all offended princes. And Vsevolod Olegovich expelled his uncle Yaroslav from Chernigov, killed his faithful boyars and plundered their houses.
Mstislav vowed to punish the guilty.
Vsevolod, without delay, hired the Polovtsy, and the 7,000-strong army of barbarians was already approaching the Russian lands. Their ambassadors were captured by Yaropolk, and, without waiting for an answer from Vsevolod, the Polovtsy turned back. Vsevolod pretended to repent, asked for forgiveness from the Grand Duke and the boyars.
Mstislav hesitated, but Yaroslav expected revenge.
The Grand Duke forgave Vsevolod and left him in Chernigov, and the offended Yaroslav returned to Murom, he soon fell ill, and died two years later, leaving Murom and Ryazan region sons. Mstislav repented of this act, which went against the covenant of his father: "Having taken an oath, fulfill it!"
The army of Mstislav opposed the Polovtsy and drove the Polovtsy beyond the Don and beyond the Volga. They no longer dared to violate the borders of the Russian state.
The Principality of Polotsk experienced a period of split and strife. Mstislav took advantage of this situation and in 1129 conquered the Principality of Polotsk, and Mstislav sent all the Vseslavich princes and their nephews along with their families on boats to Constantinople.
To rule in Polotsk, Mstislav planted his son Izyaslav. He also gave the Minsk principality. Under the supervision of the children and grandchildren of Monomakh were all Russian lands.
The Grand Duke himself continued to make campaigns. Fighting in Lithuania, Mstislav brought from there a huge number of captives, who were then handed over to slaves, noble boyars and settled in villages. Returning from Lithuania, Mstislav died on April 15, 1132 at the age of 56.
With his ability to rule, to keep order within the state, with his military exploits, Mstislav earned the nickname of the Great among the people.

Board milestones
1126 - Yaropolk repulsed the Polovtsian raids.
1127 - the expulsion of Yaroslav Svyatoslavich from Chernigov.
1129 - the conquest of the Polotsk principality.
1131-1132 - military campaigns against Estonians and Lithuanians

Grand Duke Yaropolk II Vladimirovich (review)
(1082-1139)
Reign: 1132-1139

Mstislav bequeathed the throne of Kyiv to his childless brother Yaropolk and asked him to take care of his children. Yaropolk fulfilled his promise and gave Pereyaslavl to Mstislav's eldest son, Vsevolod.
Two other brothers of Mstislav, Yuri and Andrei, considered this decision unfair and sent Vsevolod back to Novgorod, and Yaropolk put another nephew, Izyaslav Mstislavich, in Pereyaslavl.
Vsevolod was accepted back in Novgorod, after he signed a special letter, significantly limiting the powers of the prince. Since then, the prince of Novgorod had to share power with the posadniks elected by the people.
The appointment of another Mstislavich to Pereyaslavl also did not please the brothers of the Grand Duke. They did not want to give one of the main cities of Rus' into the hands of their nephews, they were afraid that over time the young princes would be able to seize the supreme power as well.
Yaropolk again went with them, on occasion and in 1133, persuaded Izyaslav to cede Pereyaslavl to his uncle Vyacheslav, and in return the nephew received Pinsk and Turov to his specific Minsk region. Izyaslav was pleased and was engaged in collecting tribute from the Mstislavich destinies, for the grand ducal treasury.
The peace did not last long. Vyacheslav regretted giving to his nephew, former Turov. He took Turov from Izyaslav, sat in it, and Pereyaslavl passed to Yuri Dolgoruky, who gave Yaropolk part of the Rostov and Suzdal regions for him.
Izyaslav was offended and turned to his brother Vsevolod for help, so that he would help him conquer the Suzdal region for him. Vsevolod did not keep his word and did not reach Suzdal. In the absence of Vsevolod, unrest began in Novgorod: the inhabitants elected more and more new posadniks, and those who were objectionable were driven away or killed.
Having learned about the unsuccessful campaign, the Novgorodians began to demand the conquest of Suzdal.
Despite the severe frost, on December 31 they moved to Suzdal. On Zhdanova Hill in the Vladimir region, the Novgorodians took to battle. In this battle, both sides lost many soldiers, but the Novgorodians failed to win, they returned home empty-handed.
At this time, the fire of civil strife blazed in the south of Rus'. Chernigov princes Olegovichi declared war on Yaropolk and his brothers. They called for the help of the Polovtsy, who rampaged on Russian soil, burning cities and villages.
Peace was concluded in 1135 near Kyiv. Yaropolk again took up the redistribution of possessions: he gave Izyaslav Vladimir, Andrei-Pereyaslavl, and returned Rostov and Suzdal to Yuri. Novgorodians took the most active part in the conclusion of peace, sending their posadnik Miroslav and Bishop Nifont to the princes. Only a few months in 1136, Rus' lived relatively calmly, and the war broke out again. Again, the Chernigov princes with the Polovtsian allies began to terrify the surroundings
Pereyaslavl.
The battle on the Supa River was especially cruel, where the Grand Duke lost his squad and cowardly fled from the battlefield. The noble boyars Olegovichi were captured. They also had the banner of the Grand Duke. The winners passed through Tripol, Vasiliev, around Belgorod and were already standing on the banks of the Lybid.
Yaropolk, having re-assembled his army, came out to meet the Olegovichs and offered peace, to cede Kursk and part of the Pereyaslav region to them.
There was no peace in 1137 in the Novgorod region either. The self-willed and recalcitrant inhabitants presented a number of claims to their prince Vsevolod and took him into custody. For seven weeks he sat like a criminal in the bishop's house, until Svyatoslav Olegovich, the brother of the Chernigov prince, elected by the people, arrived in Novgorod.
Vsevolod turned to Yaropolk in search of protection. The Grand Duke showed sympathy for the exile and put him to reign in Vyshgorod, but Yaropolk did not take any measures against the rebellious Novgorod, which had already completely escaped from the power of Kyiv. Novgorodians directly declared themselves enemies of the Grand Duke.
Soon they also drove out Svyatoslav, who did not please the people with an illegal marriage. In Smolensk, Svyatoslav was imprisoned in a monastery. Olegovichi, seized with anger, raged in Southern Rus', approaching Kyiv.
In the hope of curbing the Olegovichs, Yaropolk gathered a very strong army: all the Russian princes sent their squads; the Hungarians gave their army; besides this, more than 1,000 mounted torcs were waiting for the command to advance. The army of the Grand Duke approached Chernigov.

The inhabitants of the city were frightened and sent Vsevolod Olegovich to Yaropolk, knowing that the Grand Duke "does not rejoice at the bloodshed and death of the Russians." The calculation of the Chernigovites turned out to be correct: Yaropolk, touched by the speeches of Vsevolod, generously agreed to make peace. After that, the Grand Duke returned to Kyiv. February 18, 1139 Yaropolk died.
Since the reign of Yaropolk, a century-old enmity began between the descendants of Oleg Svyatoslavich and Monomakh. Indecision, cowardice, philanthropy Yaropolk contributed to the aggravation of strife in Rus'.
During the 7 years of his reign, many principalities came out of the subordination of the Kyiv throne: Chernigov, Polotsk, Galicia, Volyn. Again, Polovtsy appeared on Russian lands, called by the Russian princes themselves, again weeping and groans were heard throughout Rus', streams of blood and tears poured down.

Board milestones
1133 - redistribution of the Pereyaslav throne.
1133-1134 - war for Suzdal; battle on Zhdanova Hill.
1135-conclusion of peace near Kyiv.
1136 - battle on the Supa River.
1137 - the expulsion of Svyatoslavich from Novgorod.
1139 - the conclusion of peace near Chernigov.

Grand Duke Vsevolod II Olegovich (review)
Novgorod-Seversky
(?-1146)
Reign: 1139-1146

Upon learning of the death of Grand Duke Yaropolk, Prince Vyacheslav hurried to Kyiv from Pereyaslav. But the Olegovichi did not allow Vyacheslav to establish himself in the power of the Grand Duke. Vsevolod gathered an army and surrounded Kyiv. Vyacheslav was frightened and ceded the throne, having retired to Turov. Vsevolod Olegovich solemnly ascended the throne of Kyiv and celebrated this event with a feast.
The Grand Duke informed the people that he no longer wanted to fight and wanted to live in peace with the Monomakh family. But the descendants of Monomakh were not going to come to Vsevolod and plotted to overthrow him from the throne. Not waiting for them to recognize their power, Vsevolod decided to prevent a possible attack by the Monomakhoviches.
He sent an army to Izyaslav Mstislavich, but it returned in disgrace. Then Vsevolod sent the brother of the Chernigov prince Izyaslav Davidovich and the Galician princes to the Turov and Vladimir regions, and he himself opposed Andrei, telling him that Pereyaslavl should be the inheritance of Svyatoslav Olegovich, and he should sit in Kursk. But Andrei refused to cede Pereyaslavl.
The Grand Duke put Svyatoslav at the head of the army and sent him to tame the obstinate prince. But the squad of Svyatoslav was defeated and fled. A few days later, Vsevolod and Andrei met in Malotino, promised to forget the enmity and entered into an alliance with the Polovtsian khans. The military campaign against Izyaslav Mstislavich also ended with the conclusion of peace. Vsevolod promised not to disturb the Monomakhoviches and their hereditary destinies any more.
Now only Yuri Vladimirovich remained the enemy of the Grand Duke. In 1140, he asked his son, the Prince of Novgorod, for an army to take revenge on Vsevolod, but the Novgorodians did not want to arm themselves and did not obey the order of the young Rostislav. He had to go to his father, and the masterful Novgorodians again called Svyatoslav Olegovich to the throne.
Svyatoslav accepted the invitation and arrived, but there was no peace. The rebellious spirit soared throughout the Novgorod region. Secretly, together with the mayor Yakun, the prince fled from Novgorod, but the rebels caught up with them, put them in chains and put them in prison. Inconsistent in their decisions, the Novgorodians declared that they wanted a prince from the Monomakh family. And at this time the son of the Grand Duke was already riding to them at their previous request. Vsevolod was angry and did not send anyone to reign in Novgorod, so that the inhabitants of the rebellious city would know all the troubles of the region that did not have a ruler. For nine months, Novgorodians endured all the inconveniences of “anarchy.”
Finally, in the second half of 1142, they turned to Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky and invited him to reign. He did not go himself, but again sent his son Rostislav to Novgorod, but he did not have to reign, since the Grand Duke finally fulfilled the long-standing request of the Novgorodians to give them their brother-in-law Svyatopolk to reign.
After the death of Prince Andrei Vladimirovich, in 1141, discord and civil strife intensified in the country. Vsevolod was looking for ways to a peaceful life of various princely families.
In the winter of 1146, Grand Duke Vsevolod Olegovich felt his strength begin to leave him, he was unwell. Vsevolod, anticipating his death, called all the princes, declared his brother Igor the heir to the throne of Kyiv, and persuaded everyone to swear allegiance to him. Soon Vsevolod was taken to Vyshgorod, where he died on August 1, 1146.

Board milestones
1140-1142 - the change of Novgorod princes one after another. (review)

1143-1146 - strife between the princes.
1146 - oath to the heir to the throne of Kyiv Igor Olegovich.

Grand Duke Igor Olegovich
(?- 1147)
Reign: 1146
After the body of Vsevolod Olegovich was interred, Igor gathered the people of Kiev and demanded that he swear allegiance again, as the Grand Duke. The people began to complain about the tiuns, the boyar servants who ruled them, that they were robbing the townspeople and oppressing the weak. Igor Olegovich swore on the holy cross that he would be the people's defender, that the best nobles would take the place of the "tiuns-predators".
The boyars, who did not want to lose their positions at court, convinced Igor that only force can rule the people. The Grand Duke did not fulfill his promise, given to people, and all the "predators" remained in their places. The people of Kiev called Igor a perjurer-breaker and considered his power illegal. Secretly, they called Izyaslav Mstislavich to the throne of Kyiv. In the hearts of ordinary Russians, love for the Monomakh family still lived, and his grandson showed military prowess.
Izyaslav led an army to Kyiv. Igor knew about the danger and demanded help from the Chernigov princes. They began to bargain, to ask for rich destinies, they hesitated to answer. This delay, as well as the betrayal of the boyars loyal to Igor, advisers, killed the Grand Duke.
On August 17, 1146, the Olegovichs put up an army, but Igor saw his like-minded people hurriedly pass under the banner of Izyaslav. Igor's team was driven into the wilds of the forest, where the prince's horse got bogged down in marshy soil. Igor was captured, kept for several days in a monastery, and then put in prison. A year later, Igor, stricken with an incurable disease, was allowed to take the veil as a monk. After being tonsured for 8 days, he lay in his cell as if dead, and on the 9th day he completely recovered. But soon events occurred that fatally affected the fate of Igor.
Another dispute arose between the Olegovichs and the Monomakhoviches. The boyars remembered how once the evil Vseslav was released from the dungeon. Now same could be such with Igor. The crowd roared, and thousands of voices began to repeat: “Let Igor die!” His fate was sealed. The brother of the Grand Duke Vladimir Mstislavich tried to convince the people that Izyaslav did not want bloodshed. He brought Igor to his mother's house: a violent crowd broke into the house, the villains mercilessly killed Igor and dragged his naked body to the market square. The screams subsided, everyone was silent, as if coming to their senses from what they had done.
Igor was dressed in the robe of a schemer and buried in the monastery of St. Simeon. There is a legend that at the moment of burial, a terrible storm broke out with thunder and lightning through the whole sky.
And soon miracles and signs began to happen over Igor's grave. The Great Martyr Igor Olegovich was canonized, and his relics were transferred to Chernigov.

Board milestones
1146-battle between the troops of Igor and Izyaslav; imprisonment of Igor Olegovich.
1147 - massacre of Igor Olegovich.

Grand Duke Izyaslav II Mstislavovich (review)
Vladimir-Volynsky
(1097-1154)
Reign: 1146-1154

Izyaslav marked the beginning of his reign by making peace with the Polovtsy, who offered their alliance to each new ruler of Rus' in order to receive rich gifts from him. The Grand Duke also observed the actions of his brother Igor Olegovich.
Svyatoslav went to enlist the friendship of the Chernigov princes and coordinate with them actions for the release of Igor. A bitter disappointment for Svyatoslav was the news of the secret friendship of the Olegovichs with the new Grand Duke. Izyaslav demanded that he give up Novgorod and renounce his brother. But Svyatoslav, pitying Igor, could not betray him. He tried to win Yuri Dolgoruky over to his side and begged him to release his unfortunate brother. Yuri, dissatisfied with the fact that Izyaslav sat on the throne of Kyiv, disregarding his elder uncles, agreed to help and prepared the army. Svyatoslav persuaded the Polovtsian khans, relatives of his mother. There was a lot of power.
The Grand Duke's army, in response to Svyatoslav's preparations, ravaged his possessions and was already approaching Novgorod. Warned of the danger, Svyatoslav fled to the land of the Vyatichi, which was ruled by the Olegovichs. At this time, Igor Olegovich was already a monk. Yuri Dolgoruky remained an ally of Svyatoslav. They were united by hatred for the Grand Duke. Yuri drove the Ryazan prince, an ally of Izyaslav, to the Polovtsy, and Svyatoslav ravaged the lands in the Smolensk region around Protva. Pleased with themselves and their affairs, the princes met and held a "splendid dinner feast." This happened on March 28, 1147 in the small border town of Moscow on Suzdal land. Throughout the reign of Izyaslav, civil strife between the princes did not stop. Ultimately, Izyaslav regained the throne. It happened in 1151, at the same time Izyaslav returned uncle Vyacheslav to Kyiv, called him the second father and offered to share power with him.
Civil strife continued in constant opposition to the Grand Duke Yuri Dolgoruky, Olegovichi and Prince Vladimirko of Galicia until the death of Izyaslav in 1154. He was buried in Kyiv, in the monastery of St. Theodore.
Board milestones
1147 - a feast on the Suzdal land, the union of Svyatoslav Olegovich and Yuri Dolgoruky.
1151 - Vyacheslav's invitation to reign jointly in Kyiv.

Grand Duke Rostislav Mstislavich Smolensky (overview)
(?-1167)
Reigns: 1154-1155; 1159-1161; 1162-1167

As soon as Izyaslav Davidovich, the son of the Chernigov prince David Svyatoslavich, learned of the death of the Grand Duke, he immediately arrived in Kyiv, but Vyacheslav and the boyars did not allow him to enter the capital. They decided to entrust the throne to Rostislav Mstislavich, the brother of the late prince. Vyacheslav was already old and did not dare to rule Russia. He called Rostislav a son, gave him his squad and regiment. Yuri Dolgoruky continued to fight for the throne of Kyiv. He teamed up with Izyaslav Davidovich and Svyatoslav Olegovich. Yuri's son Gleb hired the Polovtsy and laid siege to Pereyaslavl. Rostislav won a swift victory over them. Inspired by success, the Grand Duke moved to Chernigov, but on the campaign he learned that Uncle Vechyaslav had died in Kyiv. Rostislav interrupted the campaign and returned to Kyiv to pay his last respects to Prince Vyacheslav. After the burial of the elder in Sophia Cathedral the Grand Duke returned to the army. Rostislav wanted to make peace with Izyaslav Davidovich and have him as a faithful ally. Izyaslav did not accept the proposal of the Grand Duke, but lined up his entire army to intimidate. Rostislav, not wanting bloodshed, decided to voluntarily cede the throne of Kyiv, if only everything would work out peacefully. The allies of the Grand Duke, despising such a decision, left the battlefield. The army was confused, the Polovtsy caught up with the fleeing and severely dealt with them. Rostislav fled to Smolensk.
The people of Kiev, having learned about the flight of the Grand Duke, called on Izyaslav Davidovich to rule. But Izyaslav did not have to triumph; Dolgoruky approached Kyiv with a large army. He sent forward ambassadors with a request to Izyaslav to voluntarily vacate the throne. The newly-appeared Grand Duke did not hesitate long: the arguments of Svyatoslav Olegovich and the powerful army of Dolgorukov under the city walls convinced Izyaslav to leave Kyiv and retire to Chernigov. Yuri Dolgoruky entered Kyiv as a winner and on March 20, 1155, took the title of Grand Duke.
For the second time, Rostislav Mstislavich became Grand Duke after the death of Yuri Dolgorukov and after the flight of Dolgoruky's successor, Izyaslav Davidovich, across the Dnieper in 1159. Rostislav was not power-hungry and did not aspire to the throne of Kyiv, and accepted the title of Grand Duke only after much persuasion and assurances of the people in love for him and trust.
Rostislav was worried about the exiled Grand Duke, Izyaslav Davidovich. In the winter of 1161, Izyaslav turned to the Polovtsy, gathered a huge army and crossed the Dnieper. The first battle was near the city of Podil.
Residents of the city fled in fear under the protection of the Kyiv walls. Grand Duke Rostislav, together with the boyars, decided to leave Kyiv in order to avoid bloodshed. He again assumed the duties of the ruler of Southern Rus', after the death of Izyaslav Davidovich.
The Grand Duke was aging, and his main concern was now the arrangement of children. He traveled from one to another and tried to strengthen the position of his sons within their borders. The journey soon tired him, and Rostislav, stopping at Velikiye Luki, summoned noble boyars to him. He took an oath from them that only Mstislav Izyaslavich Volynsky would be the heir to the throne of Kyiv. Reassured by the general agreement, Rostislav went to Kyiv. On the way to the capital on March 14, 1167, he died.
The Grand Duke was buried in Kyiv, in the Fedorovsky Monastery.

Board milestones
1154 - the death of the old prince Vyacheslav.
1155 - flight to Smolensk; coming to power of Yuri Dolgoruky.
1159 - the flight of Prince Izyaslav; accession to the throne of Rostislav.
1161 - defeat near Kyiv.

Grand Duke Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky (review)
(1090-1157)
Reign: 1155-1157

Yuri Dolgoruky gave the richest areas to his sons to manage: Andrei got Vyshgorod, Boris Turov, Gleb got Pereyaslavl, and Vasily got the environs of Rus'. Yuri reached the throne at an advanced age, he was tired of fighting, and he decided to reconcile with all enemies. Everyone accepted his assurances of friendly relations, except for Mstislav Izyaslavich Volynsky, the eldest son of Izyaslav the second Mstislavich, he was in Poland, was afraid of deceit and did not want to return.
Throughout 1156, Rus' enjoyed silence. Yuri, unsure of his safety, concluded new world with the Polovtsy, in order to use their help if necessary. The tranquility of the people was interrupted by new strife.
In Novgorod, as a result of the rebellion, instead of the son of Yuri Mstislav, he sat down to reign
Rostislav, who managed to calm the Novgorodians, Yuri was restless in Kyiv.
Both Izyaslav Davidovich and Mstislav Izyaslavich Volynsky eagerly wanted to sit in the place of the Grand Duke. They united to act together against Dolgoruky. But this was not destined to happen, since on May 15, 1157, the Grand Duke died.
In his youth, he vigorously spread Christian faith in his possessions, attracted more and more spiritual shepherds; laid roads through the forest jungle, founded new villages and cities. Yuri was the founder of the city on the Moscow River. For a long time this town was called Kuchkovo, after the name of the boyar Kuchka, whose village stood in this picturesque place. In Russian history, this ruler left a memory as the founder of Moscow.
Dolgoruky also became famous for the fact that for many years he strove for power. He got his nickname due to the fact that he conquered lands that lay far from its edge, stretched his arms to Kyiv. Since 1132, Yuri was the senior prince of North-Eastern Rus'.
He never became his own in the South of Rus'. The people of Kiev did not like Dolgoruky, he was always a stranger to them, from the northern Suzdal region, who seized the throne by force.
There is an assumption that Dolgoruky was poisoned by the inhabitants of the capital. Upon learning of his death, the townspeople plundered the princely tower and country estate. The Suzdal boyars, whom Yuri appointed to important government positions, were killed, and their houses were ruined.
The people of Kiev did not want Dolgoruky to be buried next to the ashes of the great and beloved Monomakh.
They buried him outside Kyiv, in the Berestovo monastery of the Savior.

Board milestones

1157 rebellion in Novgorod; the unification of Izyaslav Davidovich Chernigov and Mstislav Izyaslavich Volynsky, with the aim of overthrowing Yuri Dolgoruky from the throne of Kyiv; poisoning Dolgoruky, residents of Kyiv.

Material for the review, used according to the book: "Encyclopedia of Kings and Emperors." Russia. 9th-20th century.

Mstislav Vladimirovich (Mstislav the Great) - Prince of Kyiv, son old Russian prince.

The years of Mstislav's life - 1076-1132.

Brief biography of Mstislav the Great

Mstislav was the son of Vladimir Monomakh and English princess Gita of Wes. In Europe, Mstislav was called Harold (in honor of the grandfather of Harold 2nd Godwinson), and at baptism he received the name Theodore.

Mstislav was supposed to inherit the throne and become the Grand Duke of Kyiv after his father, but the ascent to power was not easy for him - he encountered among the Svyatoslavichs and changed the place of his reign several times before the death of Vladimir Monomakh.

After the death of Yaropolk Izyaslavich, his brother Svyatopolk was to become the prince in Novgorod for life, but he broke his promise and Mstislav came to reign in Novgorod, who made a similar vow of lifelong reign. In 1094, Vladimir, then reigning in Chernigov, clashed with the Svyatoslavichs, who presented their claims to Chernigov, Smolensk and Novgorod and successfully captured them. Mstislav was sent to reign in Rostov, where he remained from 1094 to 1095, and then went to Smolensk.

In 1096, Mstislav, together with the Novgorodians, organized resistance to Oleg Svyatoslavich, who wanted to capture Rostov, Mur and Ryazan. Mstislav and his brother Vyacheslav became the head of the army, which Vladimir Monomakh sent to help his sons, and together they were able to defeat Oleg on the river. Koloksha.

In 1102, the prince of Kyiv Svyatopolk decided to replace Mstislav as prince of Novgorod with his son, but the people of Novgorod did not accept the new prince. Under Mstislav, this principality was significantly strengthened: the lands were expanded, the city became stronger, could defend itself and defend itself from invasions.

However, Mstislav, like his predecessor, had to break his vow: in 1117, his father transferred him to reign in Belgorod, the place of Mstislav himself in Novgorod was taken by his son Vsevolod.

Great reign

In 1125, Vladimir Monomakh dies, and Mstislav becomes the great prince of Kyiv. Despite fears, his appointment is accepted calmly, the Svyatoslavichs do not see anything wrong with Mstislav becoming the next Grand Duke. The brothers of Mstislav also unconditionally recognized the seniority of their brother and his right to the throne. Despite this, at the very beginning of his reign, Mstislav owned only Kyiv, but not all of Russia.

The opportunity to subjugate other Russian lands opened up before Mstislav in 1127, when a struggle for power began in Chernigov. Mstislav opposed Vsevolod, who gathered an army and seized power in Chernigov, and defeated him, taking a number of lands. In the same year, Mstislav sent his son to reign in Smolensk.

Later, Mstislav continued his conquests: he made a campaign against the Principality of Polotsk, as a result of which many Polotsk cities were taken and plundered. In 1128, the campaign against the Polovtsy was repeated, this time he managed to subjugate the Polotsk land to the power of Rus', the local princes were captured, and Izyaslav was transferred to reign.

However, Mstislav's foreign policy was not always successful, he often suffered defeats in the Baltic states, reached Lithuania several times, but on the way back his troops were defeated.

Mstislav died on April 14, 1132, passing his throne to his brother Yaropolk. After his death, another large-scale civil strife unfolded in Rus'.

Family and Children

Mstislav married in 1095 the daughter of the Swedish king, Inga the 1st, Princess Christina, who bore him ten children, among whom were four boys: Vsevolod (became the prince of Novgorod), Izyaslav (prince of Kursk, Volyn and later - the great prince of Kyiv), Rostislav (prince of Smolensk), Svyatopolk (prince of Polotsk, Pskov, Novgorod, Vladimir-Volyn).

After the death of his first wife in 1122, Mstislav married a second time, in this marriage two children were born - Vladimir and Efrosinya.

The results of the reign of Mstislav the Great

In general, the reign of Mstislav was quite successful. He managed, though not for long, but still to unite Rus', to make it again single state and restrain the princes from civil strife (which resumed only after his death). Under him, Rus' made a number of victorious military campaigns in neighboring territories, defeated the Polovtsy and conquered new lands. Under Mstislav, cities began to expand, this is especially noticeable in Novgorod and the Novgorod principality. Many new churches were built.

Historians note that Mstislav received his nickname precisely because he managed to pacify the princes, forcing them to reckon with the opinion of the Grand Duke again and not to wage constant wars. Under Mstislav, there was also a fairly honest and moderate tax collection policy: although there were taxes, they were not so high as to ruin the peasants and feudal lords.

Mstislav the Great
1125-1132

Mstislav Vladimirovich the Great (June 1, 1076 - April 14, 1132), baptized Theodore, was known in Europe as Harald, named after his grandfather - Harold II Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king. Grand Duke of Kyiv (1125-1132), son of the Old Russian prince Vladimir Monomakh and the English princess Gita of Wessex. Holy Russian Orthodox Church, faithful; commemoration: April 15 according to the Julian calendar and in the Cathedral of the Saints of Novgorod.

Reigning in Novgorod and Rostov. The fight against the Svyatoslavichs

After the death of Yaropolk Izyaslavich (1086), his brother Svyatopolk violated the vow given to the Novgorodians of life-long reign in Novgorod and moved to Turov, and his place in Novgorod was taken by the grandson of Vsevolod Yaroslavich of Kyiv Mstislav, who gave the Novgorodians a similar vow.

In 1094, the Svyatoslavichs, taking advantage of the temporary weakening of Svyatopolk of Kyiv and Vladimir Monomakh, who was then the Chernigov prince, presented their claims to Chernigov, Smolensk, Novgorod. In 1094-1095, Davyd Svyatoslavich was the prince of Novgorod (and Mstislav of Rostov), ​​but after leaving for Smolensk, he was then not accepted back by the Novgorodians. In 1096, Mstislav with the Novgorodians was the main force in the struggle against Oleg Svyatoslavich, expelled from the south, for Rostov, Mur and Ryazan. Having received from the south from his father an auxiliary Russian-Polovtsian army led by his brother Vyacheslav, he defeated Oleg on the Koloksha River.

In 1102, when the prince of Kyiv Svyatopolk Izyaslavich wanted to replace Mstislav in Novgorod with his son, the Novgorodians answered him if your son has two heads, send him to us.

Mstislav contributed to the strengthening (in 1116 there was an expansion of Novgorod Detinets) and decoration (on his instructions, the Church of the Annunciation on Gorodische was founded in 1103, and in 1113 - the Nikolo-Dvorishchensky Cathedral) of the city.

Reign in Belgorod

In 1117, Mstislav was transferred by his father to Belgorod, thereby violating the vow given to the Novgorodians, and in 1118 the Novgorod boyars were summoned to Kyiv, where they were sworn in. The transfer of Mstislav to the south displeased Yaroslav Svyatopolchich, who had been married to Mstislav's daughter since 1112, and he was soon expelled from Volhynia. The chronicle accuses him not so much of going against his uncle Monomakh, but of going against his father-in-law Mstislav. Mstislav's place in Novgorod was taken by his eldest son Vsevolod.

Great reign

Upon the death of Vladimir Monomakh in 1125, Mstislav inherited the great reign, which did not cause discontent and struggle on the part of the Chernigov Svyatoslavichs, as was the case with the reign of Monomakh in 1113. And although the seniority of Mstislav was unconditionally recognized by all his brothers, initially only Kyiv was under his direct control.

At the news of the death of Vladimir Monomakh, the Polovtsy came to the Torks, but Yaropolk and the Pereyaslavtsy defeated them. Cited by the Ipatiev Chronicle "The Legend of the Emshan Grass", which has parallels with historical events, tells about the return from the Caucasus of one of the two Polovtsian hordes of the sons of Sharukan immediately after the death of Vladimir Monomakh.

The first opportunity to expand possessions opened up before Mstislav because of the struggle for power in Chernigov. Prince Vsevolod Olgovich of Novgorod-Seversky, who was married to his daughter, expelled his uncle Yaroslav Svyatoslavich from Chernigov in 1127 and called for help from the Polovtsians. Mstislav, although he spoke with Yaropolk against Vsevolod in accordance with his cross kissing Yaroslav, did not restore the status quo. Kursk with the Family went to Mstislav (where he planted his son Izyaslav), and Murom and Ryazan separated from Chernigov under the rule of Yaroslav and his descendants.

In the same year, Vyacheslav Vladimirovich moved from Smolensk to Turov, and Mstislav's son Rostislav, who later founded the local dynasty, settled in Smolensk.

In the same year, Mstislav made the first trip to the Principality of Polotsk: the cities of Strezhev, Lagozhsk, Izyaslavl were taken and plundered, and in Polotsk Prince Davyd Vseslavich was replaced by his brother Rogvolod. In 1128 Rogvolod died, and Davyd again settled in Polotsk, renouncing the world. During a new campaign in 1129, Mstislav captured the three remaining Vseslavichs (Davyd, Svyatoslav and Rostislav) and all their relatives, annexed the Principality of Polotsk: Izyaslav Mstislavich was transferred here to reign. Only the minor prince Vasilko Svyatoslavich (in Izyaslavl) remained in the Polotsk land. In 1130, Mstislav sent the captive princes of Polotsk to Constantinople.

Secondary campaigns in the Baltic states were not always successful: in 1130, the Chud was subject to tribute, but the new campaign of 1131 ended in defeat at Yuryev. The campaign against Lithuania (1132) was successful, but the people of Kiev were defeated on the way back.

April 14, 1132 Mstislav died, passing the throne to his brother Yaropolk. By agreement between Mstislav and Yaropolk, he had to give Pereyaslavl to Vsevolod Mstislavich. This plan not only failed due to resistance junior Vladimirovichs, but also because of the movements of Vsevolod and Izyaslav, Novgorod and Polotsk were lost, and the conflict between the Vladimirovichs and the Mstislavichs was used by the Olgovichs not only to return the Family, but also to be included in the struggle for the Kyiv throne. Decay Old Russian state on independent principalities is most often dated to the year of the death of Mstislav the Great.

DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICY

In 1093-1095, Mstislav ruled in the Rostov land and played leading role during the struggle of his father Monomakh and Oleg Svyatoslavich: in 1096, the battle on the river. He defeated Oleg's brother, Yaroslav Svyatoslavich, and then Oleg himself, who had to leave Murom and Ryazan and flee to the steppe. In 1097, at the Lyubech Congress of Princes, Novgorod "was assigned" to Mstislav. The sympathy of the Novgorodians for Mstislav was great, it is known that in 1102, when the Kyiv prince Svyatopolk Izyaslavich wanted to transfer Mstislav from Novgorod, they did not allow this.

In 1117-1125 he ruled in Pereyaslavl. When Vladimir Monomakh died in 1125, Mstislav became the Grand Duke. He no longer owned the lion's share of Russian lands, since younger sons Monomakh was inherited by independent principalities: Yaropolk received Pereyaslavl, Vyacheslav - Smolensk, Yuri Dolgoruky - the Rostov-Suzdal appanage, Andrey Dobry - Volyn.

In 1127, Vyacheslav became the prince of Turov, and Smolensk ceded to Mstislav's son, Rostislav. In the same year, in Chernigov, Prince Yaroslav Svyatoslavich was overthrown by his nephew, Vsevolod Olgovich. Mstislav and his brother Yaropolk opposed Vsevolod; during this war, they captured Kursk and Posemye, where Mstislav's eldest son, Izyaslav, began to rule. It was not possible to return the overthrown Yaroslav to the throne of Chernigov: Vsevolod became the prince of Chernigov in peace, and Yaroslav received the Muromo-Ryazan inheritance.

Thus, from 1127, Mstislav owned Kyiv, Novgorod (son of Vsevolod), Smolensk (son of Rostislav), Posem (son of Izyaslav), while maintaining control over the most important cities of Rus' and the main trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks."

In 1127, Mstislav made the first campaign against the Principality of Polotsk: the cities of Strezhev, Lagozhsk, Izyaslavl were taken and plundered, and in Polotsk, Prince Davyd Vseslavich was replaced by his brother, Rogvolod. In 1128 Rogvolod died, and Davyd again settled in Polotsk, renouncing the world. During a new campaign in 1129, Mstislav captured the three remaining Vseslavichs (Davyd, Svyatoslav and Rostislav) and all their relatives, annexed the Principality of Polotsk: Izyaslav Mstislavich was transferred here to reign. Only the minor prince Vasilko Svyatoslavich (in Izyaslavl) remained in the Polotsk land. In 1130 Mstislav sent the captive princes of Polotsk to Constantinople. During his reign, there were also constant strife in the Galician principality due to the redistribution of the inheritance of the princes Volodar and Vasilko Rostislavich, who died in 1124; the Grand Duke, apparently, did not interfere in these strife. "Mstislav Gospel", ordered by the prince.

In foreign policy Mstislav continued his father's line: the details of his campaigns against the Polovtsy are unknown, but it is reported that in the end the Polovtsy were driven beyond the Don, beyond the Volga and beyond the Yaik (modern Ural River). Apparently, fleeing from the Russian squads, Khan Artyk (Otrok) left for the Caucasus from the Black Sea region with part of the Polovtsy, who then appeared in Georgia as mercenaries. The military power of Mstislav was so undeniable that it was he who was the only one of all the princes Kievan Rus- earned the nickname "Great" in the annals. By marriage alliances with the Scandinavian states and with Byzantium, he strengthened the position of the state in the international arena. Secondary campaigns in the Baltic states were not always successful: in 1130, the Chud was subject to tribute, but the new campaign of 1131 ended in defeat at Yuryev. The campaign against Lithuania (1132) was successful, but the people of Kiev were defeated on the way back.

On April 14, 1132, Mstislav died, having ceded the throne, according to the appanage system, to his brother Yaropolk. 1132 is considered the year of the final collapse of Kievan Rus: on the one hand, the sons of Mstislav (Izyaslav, Rostislav, Vsevolod) became the rulers of independent principalities and later opposed their uncles Monomakhovich; on the other hand, none of Mstislav's closest successors possessed his military and political talents and could not stop the disintegration of the state.

The son of Vladimir Monomakh and Gita of Wessex, an English princess, Mstislav received the name Theodore at baptism.

In Europe, he was called Harald - in honor of his crowned grandfather, the Anglo-Saxon king. Mstislav was born on June 1, 1076.

Prince of Novgorod and Rostov. Wars with the Svyatoslavichs

Svyatopolk, after the death of his brother Yaropolk Izyaslavich, broke his promise to the Novgorodians to reign in Novgorod for life and settled in Turov. And in Novgorod, his place was taken by Mstislav, the grandson of the Kyiv prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich.

Mstislav also swore to the Novgorodians to reign with them until the end of his life (1086). The Svyatoslavichs in 1094 made claims to rule in Chernigov, Smolensk, and Novgorod.

By that time, Mstislav was already ruling in Rostov. Davyd Svyatoslavich during this period (1094 - 1095) sat on the throne in Novgorod, but moved to Smolensk, and the Novgorodians then did not accept him back.

Together with the Novgorodians, Mstislav in 1096 fought against Oleg Svyatoslavich, who was expelled from the south. On the Medveditsa River, in a battle with Oleg's brother Yaroslav Svyatoslavich, Mstislav won, and then defeated Oleg. In 1102

Svyatopolk Izyaslavovich, Prince of Kyiv, wanted to plant his son in Novgorod instead of Mstislav. But the Novgorodians answered Svyatopolk threateningly, they say, it is possible to send a new prince if he has two heads. Under Mstislav, Detinets was expanded in Novgorod (1116), the construction of the Church of the Annunciation (1103), the Nikolo-Dvorishchesky Cathedral (1113) began. Prince of Belgorod. In 1117, his father ordered Mstislav to go to reign in Belgorod.

Yaroslav Svyatopolchich, son-in-law of Mstislav, did not like this transfer to the south, and therefore he expelled him from Volhynia. The chroniclers condemn Yaroslav Svyatopolchich for opposing his father-in-law Mstislav. And in Novgorod his son Vsevolod was imprisoned.

Grand Prince of Kyiv

Died (1125). As his eldest son, Mstislav became the heir to the Kyiv principality. This did not cause resistance from the Svyatoslavichs of Chernigov. The legitimacy of Mstislav's succession to the throne was also recognized by all the brothers. But at first, Kyiv was exclusively in his charge. Mstislav decided to expand his possessions during the struggle for the Chernigov reign (1127).

As a result of military and diplomatic manipulations, Kursk and Posemye went to Mstislav, where he immediately planted his son Izyaslav, and Ryazan also separated from Chernigov, Yaroslav and his descendants ruled there. In 1127, some more movements took place: Vyacheslav Vladimirovich left Smolensk, moving to Turov, and Smolensk was headed by Mstislav's son, Rostislav, who later founded the local dynasty.

Then, in 1127, Mstislav undertook a campaign against the Polotsk lands, as a result of which several cities were devastated and plundered, and in Polotsk Davyd Vseslavich was overthrown, his brother, Rogvolod, took his place. The next year (1128) Rogvolod died. Davyd returned to Polotsk again, who did not want peace with Mstislav. And during the next campaign (1129), Mstislav captured Davyd, Rostislav and Svyatoslav Vseslavich together with their families.

He annexed the Principality of Polotsk to the Principality of Kyiv, and left the minor prince Vasilko Svyatoslavich in the city of Izyaslavl on the Polotsk land. Mstislav sent the captive princes of Polotsk to Constantinople. In the Baltic lands, Mstislav's military campaigns had varying success: the Chud imposed tribute (1130), the defeat at Yuryev (1131), a successful campaign in Lithuania (1132) and a rout on the way back.

After the death of Mstislav

Mstislav died on April 14, 1132, having transferred the reign in Kyiv to his brother Yaropolk, with whom an agreement was concluded on the transfer of Pereyaslavl to Vsevolod Mstislavich. This plan could not be implemented due to the disagreement of the younger Vladimirovichs and due to the loss of Novgorod and Polotsk.

The Olgovichi, in turn, used the confrontation between the Vladimirovichs and the Mstislavichs and regained the Family, joined the struggle for the main throne. Historians date the year of the death of Mstislav Vladimirovich the Great as the beginning of the disintegration of Kievan Rus into separate independent principalities.