Principality of Polotsk
Principality of Polotsk ( Russian Полоцкое княжество , Belarusian Полацкае княства ) was an Old Russian principality with the center in Polotsk in the Association of the Kievan Rus .
location
It originated in the 10th century on the territory of the East Slav tribe of the Polochans and was located between the rivers Daugava , Beresina and Memel on a side route of the strategically important trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks .
The location promoted the early independent development of the economy and culture. The Polotsk class of feudal lords tried more and more to be more independent from Kiev .
history
At the end of the 10th century the prince of Novgorod Vladimir undertook a campaign against Polotsk, killed the local prince Rogwolod with his sons and took his daughter Rogneda , who had previously turned him away , by force as his wife. Rogneda gave birth to their son Isjaslav , who later got the royal throne in Polotsk again from Vladimir.
A renewed struggle of the Polotsk principality for independence began under Brjachislav I and led from 1041 to the separation of Polotsk from Kiev. The principality attained its greatest importance under his son Wseslav II in the second half of the 11th century . A large part of the trade between the Baltic Sea and Byzantium was carried out through Polotsk. The Daugava was of great importance for this, the course of which was controlled by the princes from Polotsk to the mouth in the Baltic States .
After the death of Vezeslav II, feudal feuds and the process of fragmentation began among his sons. The principalities of Minsk , Vitebsk , Druzk , Grodno , Logoisk and others were separated from the Polotsk principality . Wars with the princes of Kiev completed the decline of the Polotsk principality. Its territories in the east came to the Principality of Smolensk , areas in the lower reaches of the Daugava were conquered by the knights of the Livonian Order .
From the middle of the 13th century, the insignificant remaining areas of Polotsk submitted to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania , from which they hoped for protection against the invading Mongols . In 1307 Polotsk was annexed to the Grand Duchy and its initial autonomy was abolished in 1383.
Prince of Polotsk
see main article List of Princes of Polotsk
literature
- Алексеев Л. В. Полоцкая земля // Очерки истории Северной Белоруссии. IX — XIII вв.— М., 1966.