principality · Poland, Lithuania and Russia

Principality of Smolensk

1127 CE – 1404 CE (approx.) · capital Smolensk

A wealthy Rus' principality on the upper Dnieper, long fought over by Lithuania and Moscow.

Origins

Smolensk, the old centre of the Krivichs, stood where goods were portaged between the Dnieper, the Dvina and the Volga. Rostislav Mstislavich, grandson of Vladimir Monomakh, became its prince in 1127 and made it independent of Kiev, setting up a bishopric in 1136. His descendants, the Rostislavichi, ruled it for almost three centuries.

Rule and society

Smolensk grew rich from trade with the Baltic, and in 1229 its prince Mstislav Davydovich made a treaty with Riga and Gotland that set rules for German merchants. Its princes were strong enough to compete for Kiev and Novgorod. The town built many stone churches, including the surviving Church of Saints Peter and Paul.

Decline and legacy

Smolensk largely escaped the Mongol sack but became a tributary of the Golden Horde. Squeezed between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Moscow, it was taken by Vytautas in 1395, and after a last revolt under Yury Sviatoslavich it was annexed outright in 1404. Moscow captured it in 1514.

Lineage

Kievan Rus' 882 CE – 1240 CEPrincipality of Smolensk

Connections (3)

Principality of Vyazma split from Principality of Smolensk1239 CE
Principality of Smolensk paid tribute to Golden Horde1274 CE – 1395 CE
Principality of Smolensk was conquered by Grand Duchy of Lithuania1395 CE – 1404 CE

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Cite this page

APA: The Epoch Institute. (2026). Principality of Smolensk. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-smolensk
MLA: “Principality of Smolensk.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-smolensk. Accessed .
Chicago: The Epoch Institute. “Principality of Smolensk.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-smolensk.
Harvard: The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Principality of Smolensk’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-smolensk (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻