The ancient Russian state in the 11th-12th centuries went through a painful stage of the early European Middle Ages - feudal fragmentation. The internecine wars that accompanied it brought many troubles to the people and helped dashing neighbors to make raids devastating the Russian land. The situation in the country was becoming critical, but the famous prince - Vladimir Monomakh came up with a political move to put an end to the strife. In 1097, he called the specific princes to his castle Lyubech for a direct conversation with each other. The first congress of princes gave hope to everyone, but in the end, it did not change the situation as a whole.
The reign of Yaroslav the Wise, who ruled Russia strictly but fairly, ended with the division of the country between five Yaroslavichs. Senior Izyaslav sat in Kyiv, other heirs received destinies to manage in other large cities. Child-loving Yaroslav gave orders to his sons: to observe peace and harmony, and also to obey his elder brother in everything, who, if something happens, will transfer power to the next brother after him. This procedure for the transfer of central power in the state was called "ladder".
In the first generation of the Yaroslavichs, there was no confusion and everyone was happy, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the Wise Prince were already confused and indignant. Troubles began from 1093 to 1097, when Oleg Svyatoslavovich (Gorislavich) Tmutarakansky took Chernigov from Vladimir Monomakh, took Ryazan, Suzdal and Rostov. It was an unheard-of crime, everyone was outraged by the violation of the established order, and then there were the Polovtsy, at the suggestion of the same Oleg, they became very active at the border. It was necessary to solve problems among themselves peacefully and take up arms against the steppes.
Participants, goals and objectives of the Congress of Princes
As is known, the congress was initiated by Prince Vladimir Monomakh, who by that time had lost Chernigov. His invitation to the council was accepted by:
- Svyatopolk Izyaslavich;
- Davyd and Oleg, Svyatoslavichs;
- Davyd Igorevich;
- Vasilko Rostislavich.
Vseslav Bryachislavich Polotsky refused to participate in the meeting, saying that he had nothing to share and nothing to share.
The main goal of the congress is to protect the Russian state from internal and external threats, thereby earning the love of the people.
The tasks of the forum in Lyubech were:
- Fixing the "fatherland" for the assembled princes.
- Condemnation of Prince Oleg - the instigator of the internecine war.
- Establish measures to prevent conflicts in the future.
- Join forces to resist the Polovtsians.
It must be understood that such a meeting of princes in epic times was equal to a modern forum on issues of domestic and foreign policy of the state. In addition to the princes, notable people of the non-princely family participated in the work of the congress, however, they did not participate in decision-making. Sitting in a circle on one carpet, six princes reasoned about:
- Damage to the Fatherland from their disagreement.
- The need to end internecine strife.
- Revival of the glory of the ancestors.
- Reunion of brothers in soul and heart in peace and harmony.
- The need to jointly appease the Polovtsy.
In general, the congress was successful, the princes managed to agree on the main thing: "everyone keeps his patrimony." This was a guarantee of the sovereignty of the princely inheritance and a direct statement of political fragmentation.
Specific agreements and arrangements
In addition to general phrases: about eternal peace and indestructible friendship between the prince-brothers, a specific division of the spheres of territories between the sovereign princes was drawn up:
Principality, city, territory | reigning prince | Note |
Kievskoe | Svyatopolk Izyaslavich | Plus the title of Grand Duke |
Smolensk, Belozersk, Pereyaslyavl, as well as Suzdal and Rostov lands | Vladimir Monomakh | Voluntarily abandoned Chernihiv |
Chernihiv, Murom, Razan and Tmutarakan | Oleg Svyatoslavich and David Svyatoslavich | The appanages received by common decision |
Vladimir-Volynsky | Davyd Igorevich | At the congress did not show dissatisfaction with the decisions of the congress |
Terebovl, Przemysl, and also Cherven | Vasilko Rostislavich | In addition to Vasilko, Volodar and Rurik Rostislavichs received the rights to reign in these destinies. |
In addition, at the congress, the principle of inheritance of assigned lands in a straight line, from father to son, was agreed and approved. Decisions: not to encroach on other people's possessions, and whoever violates this will be punished by other participants in the congress, the princes confirmed with oaths and kissing the cross.
Political perspectives and real results of the congress
The decisions of the congress outlined tempting prospects for a fundamentally new state structure in Russia. The decisions of the forum of princes in Lyubech could become the basis of a powerful state with elements of federalism. But, ascertaining the presence of large feudal land ownership, as a new political system, was not enough to calm the strife. Almost immediately, two participants in the congress, Grand Duke Svyatopolk Izyaslavich and Davyd Igorevich, broke their oath. They captured the prince of Terebovskiy Vasilko, blinded him and tried to take away his inheritance. Other princes expressed their indignation at the vile act at a new congress in Uvetichi (1100). There they managed to reconcile for a while, concentrating on the fight against the Polovtsians.
Congresses of Russian princes
Congresses of Russian princes- personal meetings of Rurikovich, undertaken to resolve differences and jointly resolve issues of domestic and foreign policy. They were held in Kievan Rus and individual Russian principalities from the 14th century to the 14th century.
The congresses were of an official nature and had a formalized procedure. In form, they represented a “family” council, which corresponded to the idea that existed in the princely environment that all parts of Russia were ruled by brothers of the same kind. At the beginning of the 12th century, the decisions of major congresses, in which all the senior princes of their generation took part, determined the political structure of Kievan Rus. In the subsequent period, in the conditions of the expansion of the dynasty and the onset of feudal fragmentation, regional congresses appeared, held among the princely branches within the framework of a particular land, and meetings of individual princes. At the same time, right up to the Mongol invasion, all-Russian congresses also periodically continued to meet, successfully solving, first of all, the tasks of organizing joint campaigns against nomads. A special type of congresses were the so-called. "companies"- regular meetings of the Kiev princes with the Polovtsian khans, undertaken to maintain peaceful relations. According to A. S. Shchavelev, in the pre-Mongolian period in Russia, a total of up to 170 princely meetings of various levels took place.
In historiography, the congresses of the Rurikovichs are regarded as a special institution, but its role, especially in the period of fragmentation, is not sufficiently studied and is interpreted diametrically opposite: from recognizing the congresses as the country's supreme authority (V.T. Pashuto) to their assessment as an archaic procedure that did not real impact on the political system (B. A. Rybakov, A. P. Tolochko).
Procedure, composition of participants
The typical procedure for the congress was as follows: the princes, each with his retinue, arrived at a predetermined place and, having settled down separately from each other, began "standing on horseback." There was an exchange of ambassadors for preliminary negotiations. Then the congress itself began. The place where it was most often held was the princely tents, pitched outside the city walls, or small towns and castles, sometimes villages. Less often, congresses were held in Kyiv and regional capitals. During the congress, the princes made speeches. The agreements were mostly oral and were accompanied by rhetorical formulas and references to legal precedents of the past. The agreements reached were sealed with a cross-kissing, which each prince had to make personally. Crosses were kept and could be presented in case of violation of the oath, such an act was considered an absolute sin and was very sharply perceived by society. At the end of the congress, a feast was arranged (sometimes several feasts given by the princes to each other in turn). The feast was accompanied by a joint drinking from the same bowl and the exchange of gifts. Their items were furs, expensive clothes, horses, weapons and ammunition, as well as just various rare or unusual things. For example, at the congress of 1160, Rostislav Mstislavich Smolensky added fish teeth to his gifts to Svyatoslav Olgovich Chernigov.
The congresses had a pronounced elitist character. Persons of non-princely dignity did not usually take a direct part in the discussion. When in 1096 Svyatopolk Izyaslavich and Vladimir Monomakh invited their cousin Oleg Svyatoslavich to come to Kyiv and conclude an agreement in the presence of the clergy, boyars and townspeople, he contemptuously declared that "it is not proper to judge me by a bishop, or abbots, or smerds." Representatives of the clergy were almost never invited to congresses. However, with con. In the 12th century, tendencies towards the evolution of congresses towards greater representativeness manifested themselves in some principalities and were associated with the procedure for the transfer of power, when the ruling prince determined the heir during his lifetime. For this, a "Cathedral" was assembled, which, in addition to the princes, included representatives of the nobility, clergy and cities. A similar thing happened in the Principality of Galicia (in 1187, at the behest of Yaroslav Osmomysl) and Vladimir-Suzdal (at the initiative of Vsevolod the Big Nest).
Congresses XI - early. XII centuries
Chernihiv Principality
Dmitrovsky congress () - congress of four princes: the Grand Duke of Vladimir
The Congress of Princes in Lyubech (Lyubech Congress) is a meeting between Russian princes during the first internecine war in order to conclude an agreement and divide possessions. The congress of princes in Lyubech took place in 1097.
Causes of the Lyubech Congress
The end of the 11th century turned out to be very difficult for Russia. The country was in a state of constant war - on the one hand, the Polovtsy constantly raided the border territories, on the other hand, there were constant internecine wars between the princes for the right to rule in Russia. In order to get rid of the raids of foreign invaders, the warring princes had to establish peace and create a single army. It was this desire that served as the main reason for convening the Lyubech Congress of Princes.
The first congress of princes in Lyubech
Six princes took part in the congress. The meeting was convened on the initiative of Vladimir Monomakh, who delivered a speech to the audience about the need to create a single army to defeat the Polovtsy. In order to resolve all the issues that arose between the princes, Vladimir Monomakh proposed to re-divide the territories and spheres of influence so that everyone gets what he wants. After long conversations, the goal of the congress of princes in Lyubech was achieved - the territories were divided, and the state was ready to form a single army to resist the Polovtsy.
The results of the Lubech Congress of Princes:
- Svyatopolk Izyaslavich - Kyiv with Turov and Pinsk and the title of Grand Duke;
- Vladimir Monomakh - Pereyaslav principality, Suzdal-Rostov land, Smolensk and Beloozero;
- Oleg and Davyd Svyatoslavich - Chernigov and Seversk land, Ryazan, Murom and Tmutarakan;
- Davyd Igorevich - Vladimir-Volynsky with Lutsk;
- Vasilko Rostislavich (with his brother) - Terebovl, Cherven, Przemysl.
Consequences and significance of the Lubech Congress
The congress of princes in Lyubech was the first such meeting in Kievan Rus, and its decisions were to create a solid foundation for a new, unified and more powerful state that could repel the attack of the invaders. However, betrayal prevented this. Prince Davyd Igorevich became a traitor.
Immediately after the meeting, Davyd Igorevich secretly met with the Kiev prince Svyatopolk and informed him about the conspiracy - as if Vladimir Monomakh and Vasilko Rostislavich decided to secretly seize the throne, bypassing other princes. Svyatopolk believed and invited Vasilko to his place in Kyiv, where the latter was immediately accused by Davyd of betrayal and imprisoned. As a result of this betrayal, a new internecine war broke out.
The main decisions of the first Lyubech Congress of Princes were to stop the war, but because of the betrayal, the situation only worsened.
Seeing that the princes began to fight again, Vladimir Monomakh decided to convene another congress, which was held in 1110 near Kyiv. During the meeting, the princes decided that they forgive Davyd's act and are not going to take revenge on him. In confirmation of this, Svyatopolk presented Davyd with the cities of Chertorizhsk and Dubna, and other princes allocated significant amounts of money.
Civil strife was stopped, and the state could finally follow the decisions of the first Lubeck Congress, which proclaimed peace between the princes and a single state.
The world is big to satisfy human needs, but too small to satisfy human greed.
Mahatma Gandhi
Russia, torn apart by internecine wars, endless cruel raids of the Polovtsy, needed a truce, at least within the country, in order to get rid of all the contradictions between the princes. It was for this purpose that the congress of princes in Lyubech, on the banks of the Dnieper River, in 1907. It was attended by 6 princes.
Lubec Congress of Princes - the goal
The ideological inspirer of this congress was Vladimir Monomakh. He made a speech to the brothers, urging them to forget the enmity, to reconcile and together save Russia from a common enemy - the Polovtsy. The Lubeck Congress of Princes was successful and managed to agree on the most important thing: everyone should rule only in their own lands. Bily defined spheres of influence, who will manage which cities. Vladimir Monomakh himself set an example for everyone, who voluntarily gave Oleg Svyatoslavich the city of Chernigov, a city that he himself ruled, but which in ancient times belonged to Oleg's parent. The rest was decided as follows:
- The congress of princes in Lyubech handed Kyiv over to Svyatopolk, and with it the tutul of the Grand Duke.
- Vladimir Monomakh became the ruler of Smolensk. Beloozersk, Pereyaslyavl and Suzdal-Rostov lands.
- Oleg and Davit Svyatoslavich, by common decision, received Chernigov, Murom, Razan and Tmutarakan as inheritance.
- David Igorevich secured his right to rule Vladimir-Volynsky.
- Vasilko Rostislavich received Terebovl, Przemysl, and also Cherven to rule.
Thus, the congress of Russian princes in Lyubech had as its main task the solution of the issue of spheres of influence in Kievan Rus. This is a thorny issue that has spawned many wars. As a result, all participants in the congress recognized the rights of others to the cities that were assigned to them as a result of an oral agreement.
Congress of princes in Lyubech - results
The results achieved by the congress should have become the basis, a solid foundation for building a new, powerful state. And this could have been achieved if not for the deceit of David Igorevich, the ruler of the city of Vladimir-Volynsky. He secretly informed Svyatopolk that Monomakh and Vasilko Rostislavich planned to seize the throne of Kyiv and secretly conspired behind the backs of others. Svyatopolk believed and invited Vasilko to Kyiv. Vasilko went to Kyiv. Entering Kyiv, he was informed about the deceit of David, but Vasilko did not believe, saying: “ We kissed the cross, Svyatopolk could not suspect me of betrayal". In Kyiv, Vasilko was met by David, who by force put him in prison, and his servants gouged out Vasilko's eyes. Thus began a new internecine war in Russia.
The second congress - the end of civil strife
Seeing the need to stop David Igorevich in order to stop the internecine war in Russia, Vladimir Monomakh decided to convene a new congress of princes. It was attended by Monomakh himself, Svyatopolk, Oleg and David Svyatoslavich, as well as David Igorevich himself. This congress took place on June 30, 1110 near Kyiv. Monomakh, after conferring with other participants, announced that they were begging David Igorevich and did not want to take revenge on him. They assured him that he could live in peace in the Russian land. As a token of his friendship, Svyatopolk gave the cities of Chertorizhsk and Dubna to David Igorevich. Vladimir Monomakh, Oleg Svyatoslav and David Svyatoslavich provided 200 hryvnias of gold each. This ended the internecine war.
In the middle of the 11th century, after the death of the Kiev prince Yaroslav the Wise (1019-1054), the Russian land was divided by his sons into separate principalities. The eldest - Izyaslav - received Kyiv, Veliky Novgorod and the Principality of Turov; Svyatoslav - the Chernihiv land, the lands of the Vyatichi, Ryazan, Murom and Tmutarakan; Vsevolod - Pereyaslavl Kyiv, Rostov-Suzdal land, Beloozero and the Volga region; Igor - Vladimir-on-Volyn; Vyacheslav - Smolensk. Thus, the Russian state, which was previously considered united, turned out to be divided into "fatherlands", and each of the princes independently owned the inheritance he inherited. Yaroslav bequeathed to his sons to love each other and live in peace with each other, rule the state together. However, the sons soon forgot their father's advice and began to wage internecine wars in order to expand their destinies, mastering the grand prince's table or a richer city.
Internal contradictions created an alarming, unstable situation in Russia, which was aggravated by the aggravation of the external situation. In the middle of the XI century. the formidable Polovtsians came to the southern Russian steppes, making devastating raids. The constant Polovtsian presence near the Russian borders was especially felt in the southern regions of the country. Seeing the princely strife, the Polovtsy acted more actively, attacking not only the borderlands, but also carrying out campaigns far deep into the Russian lands.
In connection with the growing Polovtsian danger, an urgent need arose to unite all the forces of Russia, ending the princely strife at any cost. Pereyaslavl Prince Vladimir Monomakh came up with an extremely important politically initiative - to get everyone together with the goal of a peaceful dispensation. He was supported by the Grand Duke of Kyiv Svyatopolk Izyaslavich. In October 1097, six princes gathered in the city of Lubech (now Chernihiv region) for their first congress. In addition to the princes of Kiev and Pereyaslav, the Smolensk prince David Svyatoslavich, his brother Chernigov prince Oleg Svyatoslavich, the Vladimir-Volyn prince David Igorevich and the Terebovl prince Vasilko Rostislavich, along with small squads, took part in it. They admitted that strife only benefits the Polovtsy: “Why are we destroying the Russian land, arranging discord among ourselves? And the Polovtsians tear our land to shreds and rejoice that we are waging wars among ourselves. From now on, let us unite with one heart and we will protect and honor the Russian land.
The participants of the Lyubech congress agreed on who should own what “fatherland”. Each prince was given those lands that belonged to his father. The principle was proclaimed: "Let everyone keep his fatherland." The princes kissed the cross on the fact that if someone starts confusion, then go to him to all the princes, the whole earth.
The significance of the Lyubech congress in 1097 was that it was the first largely successful attempt to stop the process of disintegration of Russia into small specific principalities by changing the principles of inheritance. The princes had a common goal - to provide a joint armed rebuff to the enemy. The First Lyubech Congress stopped the internecine struggle for a while and made it possible to unite the forces of the border principalities against the Polovtsian threat.
More than once, Lyubech has become a meeting place for warring parties. However, the congress of 1097 is considered by historians to be the most important in terms of its relevance and significance of the decisions made at it.
