Principality of Chernigov

Chernihiv Principality is one of the largest and strongest state formations of Kievan Rus in 11th-13th century. The greater part of Chernihiv Principality was located on the left bank of the river Dnieper within the Basins of Desna and Seim. The Principality 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 Chernihiv. Other cities were Novhorod-Siverskyi, Starodub, Bryansk, Putyvl, Kursk, Lubech, Hlukhiv, Chechersk, Homel, Vyr, etc. Ownership and influence of the Chernihiv 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 Great 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 Chernihiv Principality was owned by Mstyslav Volodymyrovych who came there from Tmutorokan. After Yaroslav the Wise Chernihiv Principality was inherited by his son Sviatoslav, who gave rise to the Chernihiv branch of Rurikids. During certain time the Principality was ruled by Volodymyr Monomakh, but according to the decision of Lubech Congress (1097) the Sviatoslav’s sons Oleg and Danylo and their descendants got it. At the same time Cherhihiv Principality was split into apanage Principalities: Chernihiv, Novhorod-Siverskyi and Murom-Ryazan (presently a part of Russia). Nonetheless the influence of Chernihiv Princes remained large and they retained the title of Grand Princes. The capital of the Principality, Chernihiv, was, along with Kiev, the largest economic and cultural center of Kievan Rus. Chernihiv dynasty possessed Kiev for some time in 11th — 13th century.