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High & Late Middle Ages1056 CE – 1201 CEPeak: 82,372 km² (1124 CE)

Principality of Volhynia: Map & History

The Principality of Volhynia was a western Kievan Rus' principality founded by the Rurikid prince Vsevolod in 987 centered in the region of Volhynia, straddling the borders of modern-day Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland.

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1056 CEDrag timeline:1124 CE1201 CE
1056 CE
1100 CE
1125 CE
1175 CE
1201 CE
Capital: VolodymyrCapital at 50.85°N, 24.32°EPeak Extent: 82,372 km²Vector Attribution: Cliopatria (CC BY 4.0)Wikidata: Q680472 ↗
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Wikipedia: Principality of Volhynia
Principality of Volhynia historical cartography
State in Eastern Europe

The Principality of Volhynia was a western Kievan Rus' principality founded by the Rurikid prince Vsevolod in 987 centered in the region of Volhynia, straddling the borders of modern-day Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland. From 1069 to 1118, it belonged to the Izyaslavichi who primarily ruled from Turov. After losing Turov to the Monomakhovichi in 1105, the descendants of Iziaslav Yaroslavovich for a few years continued to rule in Volhynia. From 1154 to 1199, the Principality was referred to as the Principality of Volodymyr when the Principality of Lutsk (1154–1228) was separated.

Capital / Seat
Volodymyr
Common Languages
Old East Slavic
State Governance
Monarchy
Historical Religion
Eastern Orthodox
Peak Territory
82,372 km²
Preceded By
Kievan Rus', Yotvingia
Succeeded By
Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia, Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Crown of the Kingdom of PolandKingdom of Poland
Content & infobox metadata adapted from Wikipedia (Principality of Volhynia)

Modern Countries Once Part of Principality of Volhynia

At its mapped extent, Principality of Volhynia covered territory in 2 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.

Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory

Each opens on the live map inside Principality of Volhynia's borders of that time.

Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.

Principality of Volhynia in Depth

History

The Principality of Volhynia along with her sister state, the Principality of Halych were formed by sons of the ruling Rurikid clan in Kiev. Iziaslav Mstislavich, the grandson of Vladimir Monomakh, moved to Volodymyr and started ruling it as his own possession, defeating a number of attempts to restore control by Kyivan princes. After Iziaslav's death in 1154, his son Mstislav defeated another attempt to bring his land under Kyiv's control.

After Mstislav's death, the principality was divided between his sons, one of whom, Roman, managed to reunite the land under his rule.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Principality of Volhynia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Principality of Volhynia: Key Facts

Key facts about Principality of Volhynia
CapitalVolodymyr
Founded987 CE
Dissolved1452

Facts from Wikidata Q680472 (CC0).

Principality of Volhynia Map Over Time

Dated world maps on which Principality of Volhynia appears, with the other states of the time.

Principality of Volhynia Timeline

Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion

1 Epochs
Territorial Apex1124 CE

Expansion to peak recorded area of 82,372 km² in 1124 CE.

Principality of Volhynia: Frequently Asked Questions

When did Principality of Volhynia exist?

Principality of Volhynia is dated to 1056 CE – 1201 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.

What was the capital of Principality of Volhynia?

The capital of Principality of Volhynia was Volodymyr.

How large was Principality of Volhynia at its peak?

At its peak in 1124 AD Principality of Volhynia covered about 82,372 km².

How did the map of Principality of Volhynia change over time?

Principality of Volhynia appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1100 CE to 1200 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.