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The 1st All-Russian Congress of Princes took place in Lyubech. Lyubech Congress of Russian Princes: date, decisions, significance. Consequences and significance of the Lubech Congress

The history of any country is ups and downs, times of peace and times of bloody wars, eras of culture and enlightenment, as well as Troubled times during which internecine wars unfolded for the right to lead the country. One of the eras of the Time of Troubles in Russia is rightfully considered the end of the 11th beginning of the 12th century, when the personal ambitions of the heirs of Yaroslav the Wise and the regular raids of nomads on the border territories greatly weakened the Russian state.

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The prerequisites for internecine warriors were the ladder order of the transfer of the throne, which consisted in the fact that power is transferred from brother to brother, and if the sons of Yaroslav the Wise were satisfied with everything, then his grandchildren were not satisfied with this state of affairs at the root. The very division of the country into separate governorships for the sons of Yaroslav the Wise did not bode well.

In order to stop the bloodshed and devastation in 1097, a general gathering of the grand dukes was organized in the city of Lyubech.

The purpose of the Lubech Congress and its participants

Lyubech is a developed city of that time, spread out on the banks of the Dnieper. This place was not chosen by chance. It was in Lyubech that the native lands of Vladimir Monomakh, the initiator of the congress, were located. Lyubech congress was convened in order to solve a number of problems, two of which (civil fratricidal war and the need for a single army to confront external enemies) were particularly acute.

Its participants were the direct descendants of Yaroslav the Wise, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each of them will be discussed further in this article.

It should be understood that the gathering of princes in those days can be equated with a modern political forum, and in addition to the princes, the entire political elite of that time participated in it, although only the princes made decisions (unlike the Dolobsky Congress).

The main decisions of the Lubech Congress of Princes:

  • Finally secure the land for each of the rulers.
  • Form a squad to fight common enemies.
  • Secure the right of inheritance from father to son.

Results of the Lubech Congress

As a result, the disputed lands were divided among the participants. And also agreements were reached on the boundaries of the territories of influence, a basis was prepared for the formation of a single army to resist foreign invaders, in particular, to resist the Polovtsy (Polovtsy is a nomadic people of Turkic origin who were at war with Russia in those days).

The participants of the Lyubech Congress, as a sign of compliance with the decisions, kissed the cross and swore that they would not encroach on foreign land, and the punishment of the rest of the princes would fall on the one who encroaches and breaks the oath. Also at the congress, the principles of inheritance of divided lands from father to son were agreed and fixed.

The political significance of the Lubech Congress of Princes

Simply put, Russia ceased to be a single state and broke up into several principalities, the decision in which was made by the sole ruler. Thus began the era of feudal fragmentation in Russia, it was of great importance and continued until the end of the 15th century, ending under Ivan III (Under which the famous Code of Laws was adopted).

Subsequent events

It is not sad, but the peace between the princes did not last long. David Igorevich brought confusion into relations between Svyatopolk Izyaslavovich and Vasilko Rostislavich by sending a messenger to the first with a message about the impending capture of Kyiv by the second. Svyatopolk, who believed the slander, called Vasilko to Kyiv, where he first imprisoned him, and then blinded him. Meanwhile, David Igorevich invaded the Terebovel principality (the estate of Vasilko Rostislavich) and captured main fortress Terebovel and nearby lands.

Having heard about the blatant violation of the oaths given by the princes, Vladimir Monomakh gathers an army and goes to Kyiv. Having besieged the city, Vladimir Monomakh seeks from Svyatopolk Izyaslavovich the release of Vasilko Rostislavich, as well as his consent to go on a joint campaign against David Igorevich. The internecine war broke out with renewed vigor and lasted until 1110.

At least two congresses are associated with this period:

  • Congress in Uvetichi. It took place in August 1110 near the town of Uvetichi. The goal is to try on the princes and the trial of the apostate David Igorevich. He lost his principality, however, was not executed, on the contrary, Svyatopolk gave him Dubna and Chertorizhsk to reign, and the Svyatoslavichs allocated a large amount of money. The wise decision of the princes made it possible to avoid a new round of bloody war and allowed the war to be stopped for a while.
  • Dolobsky congress. Congress of princes, which took place in 1103 at the Dolobsky lake near Kyiv. A distinctive feature of this congress was that not only the grand dukes, but also representatives of the squad participated in the decisions. The Dolobsky congress made it possible to unite the squads and make several successful campaigns against the Polovtsy.

And although each congress called for unification and an end to strife and civil strife, the effectiveness of the agreements was rather low and, in the end, as we see from history, a stronger and more developed principality absorbed a smaller and weaker one until there was only one left - Moscow, which again united Russia together.

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 1097. 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 Svyatoslavichi 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.

What was the significance of the Lubech Congress of Princes? and got the best answer

Answer from Lyudmilka[guru]
Princely congresses, as a peculiar form of state government, a means of making important decisions and resolving controversial issues, began to gather in the second half of the 11th century. Issues of feudal land arrangement, relations between princes, organization of consolidated resistance to the threat from the Steppe were discussed at the congresses.
The Liubech congress of 1097, in terms of its relevance and significance of the decisions taken at it, is considered by historians to be the most important. At that time, princely strife, like rust, corroded from the inside the once great state - Kievan Rus. Feudal division prevailed. Each prince wanted to seize the neighbor's wealth by force, and all together sought to sit on the grand prince's table in Kyiv.
Seeing these strife, the further, the more actively the Polovtsy began to act, attacking not only the lands bordering the steppe, but also conducting raids far deep into the Russian lands. Cities and villages burned, people died, unable to give a proper rebuff to the attackers. And some princes began to "invite" the Polovtsy as allies, going to rob their neighbors.
In connection with the growing Polovtsian danger, an urgent need arose to unite all the forces of Russia-Ukraine to repulse the nomads, to stop princely strife at any cost. In 1097 Grand Duke Svyatopolk Izyaslavich of Kyiv, Prince Vladimir Monomakh of Pereyaslav (at that time), David Svyatoslavich of Smolensk, his brother Oleg Svyatoslavich of Chernigov, Prince David Igorevich of Vladimir-Volynsk, and Vasilko Rostislavich of Terebovl, together with small retinues, gathered in the city of Lyubech, in the Lyubech castle on congress. The initiative to convene a congress of princes belonged to Vladimir Monomakh, who shortly before this voluntarily ceded the Chernigov principality to the Svyatoslavichs, and himself sat down in Pereyaslav.
The purpose of the Lyubech congress was to stop the enmity between the Svyatoslavichs and other princes, to stop internecine wars and to stand together against the threat from the Steppe, against the Polovtsy. The princes said: “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.
One of the immediate causes of princely strife was the lack of direct land inheritance. Estates, inheritances were not inherited by the son after the father, but by the elder brother. The sons were left without land, which caused endless disputes and attempts to solve them with the help of weapons.
Direct inheritance at the suggestion of Yaroslav and his supporters was introduced at the congress in Lyubech. Each prince was given those lands that belonged to his father, the principle was proclaimed: "Let each one keep his fatherland." From now on, the prince had to own the inherited lands and pledged not to encroach on the lands of his neighbors.
Svyatopolk received Kyiv along with the lands that had always belonged to his family - Turov. Vladimir received all the lands of Vsevolod - Pereyaslav, Smolensk, Suzdal, Rostov and Beloozero. Novgorod went to his son Mstislav. Chernigov land, Ryazan and Mur were assigned to Oleg, David and Yaroslav Svyatoslavich. David Igorevich got the Vladimir-Volyn land, Volodar Rostislavich - Przemysl, Vasilko Rostislavich - Terebovl. “And on that they kissed the cross: If from now on someone goes against whom, we will all be against him and the cross is honest. They all said: Let the honest cross and the whole Russian land be against it! , - it is said in the annals.
The significance of the first Lyubech congress in 1097, first of all, was that it was the first largely successful attempt to stop the process of disintegration Kyiv state into small appanage principalities by changing the principles of inheritance and setting a common goal for the princes - providing a proper armed rebuff to the Polovtsian attacks on Rus-Ukraine. The first Lyubech congress stopped for a certain time the struggle for the Chernihiv lands and allowed the border principalities to unite the forces against the Polovtsian threat.

Answer from Beautiful lady[guru]
The assertion of the fragmentation of Russia.


Answer from Maria Pikalova[newbie]
The Lyubech congress of Russian princes took place in 1097, in the city of Lyubech, on the Dnieper. The princes, at the congress, managed to agree on the recognition of the rights of each of the princes, who belonged to the Rurik family, to their patrimony. But the seizure of foreign land belonging to a brother or relative was considered a crime. The participants of the Lyubech Congress kissed the cross, as a sign that they would abide by its decisions. The princes, the former, at the Lyubech congress agreed that if someone encroaches on someone else's land, then other princes will take up arms against him.
At the Lyubche Congress, it was possible to agree on joint actions to protect the Russian land from nomadic raids. The main event of the Lyubech Congress was the proclamation of the principles of inheritance by the princes of the lands of their fathers. This decision meant the emergence of a new political system in Russia, the basis of which was a large feudal landownership. Unfortunately, immediately after the Lyubech Congress, strife began again. David Igorevich, with Svyatopolk, blinded Vasilko Rostislavich, thereby starting a new wave of strife.
It is necessary to highlight the main decisions of the Lyubech Congress and emphasize its significance as a conscious attempt by the princes to agree and unite in the face of a common - Polovtsian - danger. Highlight Vladimir Monomakh's proposals that a) each prince "sit in his own country"; b) not to call on nomads as allies in the internecine struggle. In fact, this meant the formalization of the feudal fragmentation of the state.
The second attempt to preserve the unity of Kievan Rus was the congress of princes on the Dolobsky lake. At the congress, decisions were made, according to which the princes united to fight the Polovtsy. As a result, the Polovtsy were successfully beaten by Vladimir Monomakh and the allies, but the unity of Russia could not be maintained.

The Lyubech Congress is a meeting of Russian princes, the main purpose of which was to stop the internecine war and create a single state to resist foreign invaders.

The first congress of princes in Lyubech

The congress of Russian princes took place in the city of Lyubech (on the Dnieper River) in 1097. The reasons for convening the congress of princes in Lyubech were:

  • cruel between the princes who fought each other for territories and influence in Russia;
  • the need to create a unified army for resistance whose raids inflicted serious harm country.

The congress of Russian princes in Lyubech was proclaimed by Vladimir Monomakh, who was the first to understand all the sad consequences of civil strife.

Significance of the Lyubech Congress

Kievan Rus at the end of the 11th century. was in an extremely difficult position. Since 1094 there was a constant struggle for territories, which greatly weakened the country and did not allow to assemble a single army. The princes did not want to recognize the authority of each other and tried to seize more and more new territories from the enemy in order to make a profit and spread their influence. The situation was complicated by the Polovtsians.

Vladimir Monomakh was defeated in the battle of Stugna in 1093, losing part of the territory to the invaders. Later, in 1094, Prince Oleg Svyatoslavich enlisted the support of the Polovtsy and drove Vladimir out of Chernigov. Enlisting the support of another prince, Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, Vladimir wanted to win back his possessions, but at the same time, the Polovtsy made a brutal raid on southern territories. For two years, Russia was constantly at war.

To remedy the situation, it was necessary to reconcile the princes - for this purpose, Vladimir Monomakh convened the Lyubech Congress for the first time.

The main decisions of the Lyubech Congress of Princes

During the meeting, the princes were mainly engaged in the redistribution of territories. After many hours of discussion, the congress of princes in Lyubech proclaimed the following: make peace between the princes and oblige them to come to the aid of each other in the fight against the Polovtsy. The main goal of the Lyubech Congress was the creation of a unified state.

The territories were divided as follows:

  • Vasilko Rostislavich (with his brother) - Terebovl, Cherven, Przemysl;
  • Vladimir Monomakh - Pereyaslav principality, Suzdal-Rostov land, Smolensk and Beloozero;
  • Davyd Igorevich - Vladimir-Volynsky with Lutsk;
  • Oleg and Davyd Svyatoslavich - Chernigov and Seversk land, Ryazan, Murom and Tmutarakan;
  • Svyatopolk Izyaslavich - Kyiv with Turov and Pinsk and the title of Grand Duke.

The congress of Russian princes in Lyubech proclaimed new principle division of land. The princes inherited the territories that belonged to their fathers - tribal distribution. Thus, it was possible to avoid disputes over possessions, and Russia gradually had to turn into a feudal state.

Consequences of the Lyubech Congress of Princes

Unfortunately, Prince Davyd Igorevich was dissatisfied with the new treaty and immediately after the meeting he informed Svyatopolk that Vladimir Monomakh and Vasilko Rostislavich had a secret agreement and wanted to seize sole power in Russia. Svyatopolk believed and, at the insistence of Davyd, invited Vasilko to his place in Kyiv, where the latter was immediately accused of treason and imprisoned.

Vladimir Monomakh, seeing that a new conflict had begun, convened a second congress of princes (1110), at which a final peace treaty was concluded. Prince Davyd was forgiven for his betrayal.

Results of the Lyubech Congress of Princes

Thanks to the fact that the princes managed to agree, the civil strife in Russia ended and the state gradually united to repulse the Polovtsy. The Grand Dukes were able to unite their troops and resist the invaders, and Russia went into new era with a new political order.

In the history of Russia, as, indeed, of any other country, there are many gloomy pages when bloody ones caused great disasters for the people and created favorable conditions for invaders of various stripes. It was in this situation that Russia found itself at the end of the 11th century due to the strife between Oleg Svyatoslavich, Vladimir Monomakh and Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, the end of which was called upon to put an end to the congress of princes in Lyubech.

background

To understand what happened in Russia in the period from 1093 to 1097, it is necessary to start the story with a description of the war of the three sons of Svyatoslav Yaroslavich for the inheritance. In particular, Oleg Svyatoslavich, having called for the help of the Polovtsy, was able to take away from his cousin, Vladimir Monomakh, Chernigov, which had previously been the capital city of his father. Further, the prince took Ryazan and, having killed the Murom ruler Izyaslav in battle, captured his capital, as well as Suzdal and Rostov. Such an act, even in those days, was considered as the greatest crime, and all representatives of the Monomakh family, who managed to win back their estates, took up arms against Oleg. But the external threat looming over the country made the irreconcilable enemies think about forgetting about the contradictions at least for a while and not weakening Russia with internecine wars.

Participants of the princely congress in Lyubech

The initiator of the collection of the most famous specific rulers of that time was Vladimir Monomakh, the grandson of the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX. Even in his early youth, this prince showed remarkable intelligence and the ability to compromise. In particular, in 1093, having the opportunity to ascend the throne of Kyiv, he ceded it to Svyatopolk in order to avoid war, and in 1094 he voluntarily left Chernigov, as he understood that he could not stand alone against Oleg Svyatoslavich and the Polovtsy. In addition, he was an extremely ambitious man with far-reaching political plans.

Among the princes invited to the congress in Lyubech were the grandchildren of Yaroslav the Wise, Davyd Igorevich, as well as Davyd and Oleg Svyatoslavich. In addition, his great-grandson, Vasilko Rostislavich, was summoned from Terebovl.

Year 1097: congress of princes in Lyubech

The need for a meeting of the most influential rulers of the country is long overdue. However, Vladimir Monomakh could not manage to persuade Oleg Svyatoslavich to come to Kyiv, as he was afraid of an attack. Finally, it was decided to hold a congress of princes in Lyubech. This castle also belonged to Monomakh, but no one lived there for a long time. As the chronicles of those years testify, Prince Vladimir spoke to the brothers and urged them to forget the enmity and stand up for the defense of the Motherland from the common enemy - the Polovtsians.

The results of the congress in Lyubech

After heated discussions, the princes redistributed the principalities as follows:

  • Syatopolk Izyaslavich got Kyiv with Pinsk and Turov;
  • Vladimir Monomakh received Smolensk, Suzdal-Rostov land, Beloozero;
  • Davyd Igorevich was supposed to manage Vladimir-Volynsky with Lutsk;
  • Vasilko Rostislavich, together with his brother Volodar, was given Terebovl, Przemysl and Cherven;
  • Davyd and Oleg Svyatoslavich began to rule in Chernigov, as well as in Seversk land, Ryazan, Murom and Tmutarakan.

Thus, the congress of princes in Lyubech proclaimed the principle of inheritance by Russian princes of the lands belonging to their fathers, and its most important result was the formation in Russia of a new political system based on the existing large feudal land ownership, concentrated in the hands of different branches.

Subsequent events

Unfortunately, the congress of Russian princes in Lyubech could not lead to the establishment of a lasting peace in Russia, since David Igorevich secretly sent a messenger to Svyatopolk with a message about the allegedly impending seizure of the Kyiv throne by Vladimir Monomakh and Vasilko Rostislavich. This insidious act brought many troubles to our country. The fact is that Svyatopolk, who believed the slander, invited Vasilko to Kyiv, imprisoned him and blinded him. Moreover, there is evidence that Rostislavich was warned about the impending trap. However, he replied that the princes in Lyubech "kissed the cross", so he did not believe that he could be in danger. The actions of Svyatopolk and David Igorevich resulted in a new internecine war that lasted until 1110.

Congress in Uvetichi

In the summer of 1110, princes Vladimir Monomakh, Svyatopolk, Davyd and Oleg Svyatoslavich gathered and “created peace among themselves.” Then they called David Igorevich to court, deprived Vladimir-Volyn principality, but assured that they were not going to take revenge on him. In addition, Svyatopolk gave him Dubna and Chertorizhsk, and the Svyatoslavichs gave him a large sum of money. Since the interests of all sides were taken into account, the internecine war ceased.

Thus, the goal of the congress of princes in Lyubech, which was to achieve a lasting peace in Russia, was not achieved due to the ambitions of some of its participants.