Chernihiv principality
on the eve of the Batu’ campaign
Nicholas Zharkikh
Shortened text of the section. Full text in ukrainian version.
Now let’s see what the Chernihiv principality was like in the first decades of the 13th century, at the end of the existence of this ancient Rus’ political unit.
Naturally, most source references concern the capital itself Chernihiv, so there can be no doubt that the city existed.
Bishops of Chernihiv mentioned several times.
From the number other cities in the Chernihiv principality is mentioned (numbers are numbers on the map):
Map of the Chernihiv principality
(based on Google Maps)
Written sources mention other princes outside Chernihiv on the territory of the Chernihiv principality. The most important mention seems to be the Putivl in 1207 in connection with the activities of prince Volodymyr Igorovych.
What were the relations of these little-known provincial princes to Chernihiv city and the Chernihiv prince?
Was there any system in the distribution of thrones within the Chernihiv principality – from sources of the 13th century is not visible.