Smolensk Principality

an old Russian principality that was situated along the upper course of the Dnieper. The principality became independent in the 1130’s, during the reign of Vladimir Monomakh’s grandson, Prince Rostislav Mstisla-vich (1127–59). Under Rostislav, the principality reached its cultural and political zenith. In the late 12th century his grandsons divided the principality into several appanages, which were attacked by German Crusaders and Lithuanian feudal lords. In the early 15th century the principality was seized by the Lithuanian grand duke Vitovt, who annexed the Smolensk lands to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Smolensk and the territory of the former Smolensk Principality were returned to Russia in 1667 by the Armistice of Andrusovo.