Principality of Chernigov
The Principality of Chernigov (Russian Черниговское княжество ) was part of the Principality of Kievan Rus with the capital of Chernigov. The principality was established in 1024 in Sewerien and was below one of the politically and economically most important components of the empire. The princes of Chernigov fought several times around the Kievan Grand Prince dignity, while the long reign over Chernigov time was the most honored to Kiev.
At the beginning of its existence the principality consisted of an extensive territory mainly east of the Dnieper. His territory extended as far as Murom and Ryazan in the northeast and to the "Wild Field " in the southeast. Among the important cities of the Principality of Novgorod - Seversky belonged, Starodub, Bryansk, Putywl, Kursk, Gluchov and Gomel.
In 1097, an independent principality Sewerien and the Principality of Murom - Ryazan broke out from the Principality of Chernigov.
The demise of the Principality began in 1239, when it was devastated during the Mongol invasion of Rus. After the death of the Prince Mikhail of Chernigov in 1246 it was divided into several smaller principalities Bryansk, Nowosil, Karachev and Tarusa. Destroyed by the Mongols Chernigov, long time one of the largest cities in the whole Rus, the functions of the capital could no longer meet, so this was moved to Bryansk. In the 14th century, followed by other divisions. The following are the areas of the Principality came into the sphere of influence of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. At the end of the 15th century, many orthodox nobles ran over with their lands to the Grand Duchy of Moscow, after being harassed more and more from Catholicism in Lithuania.