Principality of Volhynia

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Principality of Volhynia
Волинське князівство
987–1199/1452
Coat of arms in the 15th-century[1]
Principality of Volhynia (shown in orange)
Principality of Volhynia (shown in orange)
CapitalVolodymyr
Common languagesOld East Slavic
Religion
Eastern Orthodox
GovernmentMonarchy
History 
• Established
987
1199
• War for succession between Poland and Lithuania
1340–1392
• Incorporated into Lithuania
1452
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Kievan Rus'
Yotvingia
Principality of Galicia–Volhynia
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Kingdom of Poland

The Principality of Volhynia (Ukrainian: Волинське князівство) was a western Kievan Rus' principality founded by the Rurikid prince Vsevolod in 987 centered in the region of Volhynia, straddling the borders of modern-day Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland. From 1069 to 1118, it belonged to Izyaslavichi who primarily ruled from Turov (see Principality of Turov). After losing Turov to Monomakhovichi in 1105, the descendants of Iziaslav Yaroslavovich for a few years continued to rule in Volhynia. From 1154 to 1199, the Principality was referred to as the Principality of Volodymyr (Latin: Lodomeria) when the Principality of Lutsk (1154–1228) was separated.

Territory[edit]

The principality held the lands of the historic region of Volhynia from where it acquired its name. The capital of the principality as well as the largest and most important city of the region was Volodymyr. Other notable cities in the principality include Kremenets, Lutsk, Busk, Dorogobuzh, Brest, Belz, DuBetz and Shumsk.

History[edit]

Principality of Volhynia in green
Modern reconstruction of the arms of the Principality of Volhynia

The Principality of Volhynia along with her sister state, the Principality of Halych were formed by sons of the ruling Rurikid clan in Kiev. Following the fragmentation of Kievan Rus', the principality achieved autonomy in 1154.

Following the death of the prince of Halych Volodymyr Yaroslavovych in 1199, the Halych line of the Rurikid family had become extinct and the prince of Volhynia, Roman the Great annexed the principality, moved his seat to the city of Old Halych and formed the united Kingdom of Galicia-Volhynia.

Princes[edit]

Yaroslavovychi[edit]

Volodymyrovychi[edit]

Yaroslavovychi / Izyaslavovychi[edit]

  • 1069–1086 Yaropolk Izyaslavich (King of Rus since 1078)
    • 1073–1078 occupation by Olehovychi (Oleg I of Chernigov, progenitor of the Olgovichi clan)
    • 1086–1100 occupation by Ihorevychi (Davyd Ihorevych)
  • 1099–1100 Mstislav Svyatopolchych
  • 1100–1118 Yaroslav Svyatopolchych

Monomakhovychi[edit]

Monomakhovychi / Mstislavovychi (senior line)[edit]

Piast vs Romanovichi[edit]

  • 1323–1325 Volodymyr Lvovych
  • 1325–1340 Yuri II Boleslav
    • 1323–1349 Halych boyars led by Dmytro Dedko

Gedeminas[edit]

References[edit]