Principality of Volhynia


The Principality of Volhynia was a western Kievan Rus' principality founded by the Rurik dynasty in 987 centered in the region of Volhynia, straddling the borders of modern-day Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland. From 1069 to 1118 it belong to Izyaslavichi who primarily ruled from Turov. After losing Turov to Monomakhovichi in 1105, the descendants of Izyaslav Yaroslavovich for a few years continued to rule in Volhynia. From 1154 to 1199 the principality was named Principality of Vladimir when the Principality of Lutsk was separated.

Territory

The principality held the lands of the historic region of Volhynia from where it acquired its name. The capital of the principality as well as the largest and most important city of the region was Volodymyr. Other notable cities in the principality include Kremenets, Lutsk, Busk, Dorogobuzh, Brest, Belz and Shumsk.

History

The Principality of Volhynia along with her sister state, the Principality of Halych were formed by sons of the ruling Rurik dynasty in Kiev. Following the fragmentation of Kievan Ruthenia, the principality achieved autonomy in 1154.
Following the death of the prince of Halych Volodymyr Yaroslavovych in 1199, the Halych line of the Rurik dynasty had become extinct and the prince of Volhynia, Roman the Great annexed the principality, moved his seat to the city of Old Halych and formed the united Kingdom of Galicia-Volhynia.

Princes