# Upper Oka Principalities

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Collection of Russian principalities

The principalities at the turn of the 15th century

In [Russian historiography](/source/Russian_historiography), the **Upper Oka Principalities**,[a] also known as the **Upper Principalities** or the **Principalities of the Upper Reaches**,[b] were a number of small [Russian principalities](/source/Russian_principalities) situated along the upper reaches of the [Oka River](/source/Oka_River) around the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries.[1][2]

## History

Estate of a petty medieval prince

They were formed between the 13th and 15th centuries as a result of the [fragmentation](/source/Feudal_fragmentation) of the [Principality of Chernigov](/source/Principality_of_Chernigov).[2] They were ruled by the "upper princes", each descended from [Mikhail Vsevolodovich](/source/Michael_of_Chernigov).[3] His eldest son, [Roman](/source/Roman_Mikhailovich), received [Bryansk](/source/Bryansk), and his line was considered senior.[2] The Bryansk princes were crushed by the [Golden Horde](/source/Golden_Horde) due to their aspirations for unification, leading to the emergence of independent [appanage](/source/Appanage) principalities in the mid-14th century.[2]

From the mid-14th century, the principalities became [buffer states](/source/Buffer_state) between the [Grand Duchy of Lithuania](/source/Grand_Duchy_of_Lithuania) to the west and the [Grand Principality of Moscow](/source/Grand_Principality_of_Moscow) to the north;[3] they fluctuated between alignments with each of these two major regional powers.[1] Many princes became semi-dependent on Moscow, with the [Diocese of Bryansk](/source/Diocese_of_Bryansk) remaining subordinate to the metropolitan of the [Russian Orthodox Church](/source/Russian_Orthodox_Church), who was based in Moscow.[2]

The princes of [Novosil](/source/Novosil) and [Tarusa](/source/Tarusa) participated in the [all-Russian congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pereyaslavl_congress_(1374)&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%8F%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D1%81%D1%8A%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B4_(1374))] of princes in [Pereslavl-Zalessky](/source/Pereslavl-Zalessky) in 1374.[2] The following year, the princes of Novosil, Tarusa, and [Obolensk](/source/Obolenskoye%2C_Zhukovsky_District%2C_Kaluga_Oblast) were mentioned as participating in the all-Russian campaign against [Tver](/source/Tver).[2] Many of the "upper princes" also took part in the [Battle of Kulikovo](/source/Battle_of_Kulikovo) in 1380.[4] However, around the turn of the 15th century, Lithuania renewed its campaign to increase its control over the region.[2]

In the early 15th century, the princes became dependent on Lithuania and were required to pay an annual tribute.[1] In 1395–1396 or 1406–1408, the Lithuanians were able to capture Obolensk, Tarusa, [Mtsensk](/source/Mtsensk), [Mosalsk](/source/Mosalsk), [Vorotynsk](/source/Vorotynsk%2C_Peremyshlsky_District%2C_Kaluga_Oblast), [Mezetsk](/source/Meshchovsk), [Karachev](/source/Karachev), and [Kozelsk](/source/Kozelsk).[5] In 1408, the princes of [Belyov](/source/Belyov) and [Peremyshl](/source/Peremyshl%2C_Russia) fled to Moscow, along with [Švitrigaila](/source/%C5%A0vitrigaila) and other princes.[2] At the same time, the princes quarrelled with each other over the boundaries of their holdings.[1][5] Increased Lithuanian oppression in the territories bordering Muscovite lands led to discontent among Russian princes and nobles.[6] The principalities of Karachev, Kozelsk, and Tarusa were abolished; the descendants of those princes were reduced to the status of minor service princes.[5]

In the second half of the 15th century, as religious oppression intensified, Grand Prince [Ivan III](/source/Ivan_III_of_Russia) took advantage of the situation and began to interfere in the relations of the princes who were in Lithuanian service.[5][7] As a result, these princes began to "depart" to Moscow.[5] A border conflict between Lithuania and Russia took place in 1487–1494, consisting of minor clashes and generally waged by the forces of the border principalities.[5] According to a 1494 treaty, Lithuania was compelled to recognize these principalities as belonging to the Russian state.[5][7] The incorporation of these principalities strengthened Moscow's southwestern border, and some of them continued to exist as [appanages](/source/Appanage) until 1573, including Vorotynsk, Novosil, and Odoyev.[5][7]

## List of principalities

- [Principality of Odoyev](/source/Principality_of_Odoyev) and [Principality of Novosil](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Principality_of_Novosil&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BA%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%B6%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE)] – seats of the [Odoyevsky](/source/Odoyevsky_family) princes in [Odoyev](/source/Odoyev) and [Novosil](/source/Novosil);[3]

- [Principality of Belyov](/source/Principality_of_Belyov) – seat of the [Belyovsky](/source/Belyovsky) princes in [Belyov](/source/Belyov);[3]

- [Principality of Vorotynsk](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Principality_of_Vorotynsk&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D1%8B%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BA%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%B6%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE)] – seat of the [Vorotynsky](/source/Vorotynsky) princes in [Vorotynsk](/source/Vorotynsk%2C_Peremyshlsky_District%2C_Kaluga_Oblast);[3]

- [Principality of Mosalsk](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Principality_of_Mosalsk&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BA%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%B6%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE)] – seat of the [Mosalsky](/source/Massalski_family) princes in [Mosalsk](/source/Mosalsk);[3]

- [Principality of Zvenigorod](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Principality_of_Zvenigorod&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%97%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BA%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%B6%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE_(%D0%A7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE-%D0%A1%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%BB%D1%8F))] – seat of the [Zvenigorodsky](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zvenigorodsky&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%97%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B5)] princes;[3]

- [Principality of Karachev](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Principality_of_Karachev&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BA%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%B6%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE)] – seat of the [Khotetovsky](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khotetovsky&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A5%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B5)] princes in [Karachev](/source/Karachev);

- [Principality of Kozelsk](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Principality_of_Kozelsk&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BA%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%B6%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE)] and [Principality of Peremyshl](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Principality_of_Peremyshl_(Upper_Oka_Principalities)&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BC%D1%8B%D1%88%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BA%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%B6%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE_(%D0%A7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE-%D0%A1%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%BB%D1%8F))] – seats of the [Gorchakov](/source/Gorchakov) princes in [Kozelsk](/source/Kozelsk) and [Peremyshl](/source/Peremyshl%2C_Russia);

- [Principality of Tarusa](/source/Principality_of_Tarusa) and [Principality of Mezetsk](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Principality_of_Mezetsk&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%86%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BA%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%B6%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE)] – seats of the [Mezetsky](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mezetsky&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%86%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B5)] princes in [Tarusa](/source/Tarusa) and [Meshchovsk](/source/Meshchovsk);[3]

- [Principality of Boryatino](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Principality_of_Boryatino&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%91%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%8F%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BA%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%B6%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE)] – seat of the [Boryatinsky](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boryatinsky&action=edit&redlink=1) princes in [Boryatino](/source/Boryatino);

- [Principality of Obolensk](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Principality_of_Obolensk&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BA%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%B6%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE)] – seat of the [Obolensky](/source/Obolensky) princes in [Obolensk](/source/Obolenskoye%2C_Zhukovsky_District%2C_Kaluga_Oblast).[3]

## Gallery

Maps of the Upper Oka Principalities

		- Early principalities on the Upper Oka c. 1300 [Principality of Tarusa](/source/Principality_of_Tarusa) Principality of Novosil Principality of Karachev

		- Upper Oka Principalities c. 1350

		- Upper Oka Principalities in 1389 [Principality of Odoyev](/source/Principality_of_Odoyev) [Principality of Tarusa](/source/Principality_of_Tarusa) Principality of Kozelsk Principality of Masalsk

		- Upper Oka Principalities c. 1400

		- Upper Oka Principalities in 1434 [Grand Duchy of Lithuania](/source/Grand_Duchy_of_Lithuania) Vassals of the [Golden Horde](/source/Golden_Horde)

		- Upper Oka Principalities in 1462 [Grand Duchy of Lithuania](/source/Grand_Duchy_of_Lithuania) [Principality of Ryazan](/source/Principality_of_Ryazan) [Grand Principality of Moscow](/source/Grand_Principality_of_Moscow) [Golden Horde](/source/Golden_Horde)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Russian](/source/Russian_language): Верхнеокские княжества, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Russian): *Verkhneokskiye knyazhestva*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Russian](/source/Russian_language): Верховские княжества, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Russian): *Verkhovskiye knyazhestva*.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKashtanov198697_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKashtanov198697_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKashtanov198697_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKashtanov198697_3-3) [Kashtanov 1986](#CITEREFKashtanov1986), p. 97.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001171_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001171_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001171_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001171_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001171_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001171_4-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001171_4-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001171_4-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001171_4-8) [Boguslavsky & Kuksina 2001](#CITEREFBoguslavskyKuksina2001), p. 171.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERusyna2003494_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERusyna2003494_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERusyna2003494_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERusyna2003494_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERusyna2003494_5-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERusyna2003494_5-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERusyna2003494_5-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERusyna2003494_5-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERusyna2003494_5-8) [Rusyna 2003](#CITEREFRusyna2003), p. 494.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001171–172_6-0)** [Boguslavsky & Kuksina 2001](#CITEREFBoguslavskyKuksina2001), pp. 171–172.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001172_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001172_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001172_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001172_7-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001172_7-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001172_7-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001172_7-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBoguslavskyKuksina2001172_7-7) [Boguslavsky & Kuksina 2001](#CITEREFBoguslavskyKuksina2001), p. 172.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKashtanov198697–98_8-0)** [Kashtanov 1986](#CITEREFKashtanov1986), pp. 97–98.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKashtanov198698_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKashtanov198698_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKashtanov198698_9-2) [Kashtanov 1986](#CITEREFKashtanov1986), p. 98.

## Sources

- Boguslavsky, Vladimir V.; Kuksina, Elena I. (2001). "Верховские княжества". [*Славянская энциклопедия. Киевская Русь — Московия. Т. 1: А–М*](https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/kNNEiqIIouwC?hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjf7Ibn2pSQAxXF0AIHHVkbKCwQ7_IDegQIJhAC) (in Russian). Moskva: ОЛМА Медиа Групп. pp. 171–172. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9785224022502](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9785224022502).

- Kashtanov, S. M. (1986). "Upper Reaches, Principalities of". [*The Modern Encyclopedia Of Russian and Soviet History*](https://archive.org/details/modernencycloped0041jose/page/96/mode/2up). Vol. 41. Academic International Press. pp. 97–98.

- Rusyna, Olena Volodymyrivna (2003). [Верховські князі](http://resource.history.org.ua/cgi-bin/eiu/history.exe?&I21DBN=EIU&P21DBN=EIU&S21STN=1&S21REF=10&S21FMT=eiu_all&C21COM=S&S21CNR=20&S21P01=0&S21P02=0&S21P03=TRN=&S21COLORTERMS=0&S21STR=Verkhovski_kniazi) [Upper princes]. *[Encyclopedia of History of Ukraine](/source/Encyclopedia_of_History_of_Ukraine)* (in Ukrainian). Vol. 1. Kyiv: Institute of History of Ukraine. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [966-00-0734-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/966-00-0734-5). Retrieved 8 May 2025. У 2-й пол. 14 – 70-х рр. 15 ст. володіння в.К., що лежали у поріччі верхньої Оки (прит. Волги), відігравали роль буфера між сферами впливу литов. і моск. князів.

## Further reading

- Bazilevich, K. V. (1952). *Внешняя политика Русского централизованного государства: Вторая половина XV века* [*Foreign affairs of the Russian centralized state: second half of the 15th century*]. Moscow.

- Bespalov, Roman (December 2017). ["Гипотеза о появлении термина «верховскии князи» в московско-литовской дипломатии"](https://www.academia.edu/35513460/Беспалов_Р_А_Гипотеза_о_появлении_термина_верховскии_князи_в_московско_литовской_дипломатии_Древняя_Русь_Вопросы_медиевистики_М_2017_4_70_С_42_52) [A hypothesis about the emergence of the term "upper princes" in Muscovite–Lithuanian diplomacy]. *Древняя Русь. Вопросы медиевистики*. **70** (4): 42–52. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2071-9574](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2071-9574).

- [Lyubavsky, M. K.](/source/Matvei_Lyubavsky) (1892). *Областное деление и местное управление Литовско-Русского государства* [*Regional division and local administration in the Lithuanian–Russian state*]. Moscow.

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