THE PRINCIPALITY OF TUROV (10th – 13th CENTURIES)

Abstract

The Principality of Turov was formed in the south of modern Belarus in the 10th century through the administrative reform by the grand duke of Kiev Vladimir Svyatoslavich when replacing the previous ethnic tribal princedoms by feudal principalities headed by the sons of Vladimir Svyatoslavich. The Principality of Turov was formed on the basis of the Dregovichi tribal princedom simultaneously and on the same basis as the Principalities of Novgorod, Polotsk, Chernigov, and Vladimir-Volynsky. The Principality of Turov in the 11th century was one of the most important in Ancient Rus and its princes often occupied the throne of Kiev. In early 12th century the Grand Duke of Kiev, Vladimir Monomakh, temporarily interrupted the political independence and dynastic ownership of the Principality of Turov; they were restored only in 1158. In the second half of the 12th century, feudal disintegration of the Principality of Turov took place. In the 13th century the lands of the Principality of Turov were owned by descendants of Turov princes. In early 14th century, the lands of the Principality of Turov gradually became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.