Novgorod was an important trade
centre and a military stronghold, which was conquered by the Swedish viking
Rurik c. 862. Rurik became the founder of the first Russians state and the
dynasty which would rule Russia until the end of the 16th century. The
capitol was however moved to Kiev already in c. 882 and Novgorod was
thereafter the seat of subordinated princes belonging to the house of Rurik.
The city of Novgorod (called
Holmgård by the Scandinavians) was not formed until the end of the tenth
century. Its inhabitants seized the political power from the prince in the
12th century and introduced a republican government. They got the right to
elect their mayor (posadnik) in 1126 and from 1136 did they also
appoint and depose the princes. The trade republic of Novgorod encompassed a
large territory in northern Russia and competed with Sweden over the
control of Finland. Its independence was lost 1478 when the grand prince of
Moscow conquered Novgorod and thereby unified Russia.
The princes of Novgorod were
usually rulers over other principalities as well. These are listed in the
right column.
Principality of Novgorod
-860
c. 860-862
Gostomysl (his
existence is disputed)
Interregnum
c. 862-879
c. 880-882
c. 882-912
c. 912-969
Rurikska ätten
Rurik (Rörek)
Oleg (Helge the Wise)
Igor (Ingvar)
= c.
882-912 = c.
912-945
Unknown period (descendants of Igor)
919?-969?
-969?
c. 969-980
Svyateslav Igorevich
Uleb Igorevich
Vladimir Svatoy (the Holy)
= c.
945-972
= c. 980-1015
c. 980-987
c. 987-1010
1010-1036
1036-1052
1052-1054
1054-1067
Unknown period (descendants of Vladimir)
Vysheslav Vladimirovich
Yaroslav Mudry (the Wise)
Vladimir Jaroslavich
Izyaslav Jaroslavich
Mstislav Izjaslavich
Occupied by Polotsk
Gleb Izyaslavich
Svyatopolk Izyaslavich
Mstislav Veliky (the Great)
David Svyatoslavich
Mstislav Veliky (restored)
Vsevolod Svatoy (the Holy)
= c.
882-912