Belev Principality

one of the independent feudal principalities on the upper reaches of the Oka River. It was founded at the end of the 14th century as a result of the partition of Novosil’ Principality. In 1407 it was conquered by Grand Duke Vytautas of Lithuania. In 1490, Belev Principality came under the rule of Ivan III Vasil’evich. In 1494 a treaty between the Grand Principality of Moscow and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was signed acknowledging the transfer of Belev Principality to the Russian state. In 1558, Ivan IV Vasil’evich exiled the last appanage prince from Belev to Vologda, thus liquidating the principality.