Editing History of Ukraine (section)

==== Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia ====
{{Main|Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia}}

The Principality—later the [[Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia]] ([[Ruthenia]])—emerged from the disintegration of [[Kievan Rus']]. Its rulers continued the political and cultural legacy of Kiev, preserving the traditions and governance of the Rus' state even as Kiev fell to [[Mongol]] control.<ref name = "Pelenski">[https://books.google.com/books?id=iuFB8V2X4yEC&pg=PA9 Jarosław Pelenski.] In P. Potichnyj (ed.) (1992). ''Ukraine and Russia in their historical encounter.'' Edmonton, Alberta: Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies Press, University of Alberta. pp.8–15</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=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=Korolivstvo_Rus|title=КОРОЛІВСТВО РУСЬ|website=resource.history.org.ua|access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref> Previously, [[Vladimir the Great]] had established the cities of [[Halych]] and [[Volodymyr-Volynskyi|Volodymyr]] as regional capitals, setting the foundation for future political entities in the region. The area was originally inhabited by the [[Dulebes]], [[Tivertsi]], and [[White Croats]] tribes.<ref name="Sedov">{{cite book |first=Valentin Vasilyevich |last=Sedov |year=2013 |orig-year=1995 |script-title=ru: Славяне в раннем Средневековье |title=Sloveni u ranom srednjem veku |trans-title=Slavs in Early Middle Ages|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HD4oAAAAMAAJ |language=ru |publisher=Akademska knjiga |location=Novi Sad |isbn=978-86-6263-026-1 |pages=41–44, 164, 388, 428–430, 435–437, 481, 497, 499, 515}}</ref> Initially, [[Volhynia]] and [[Galicia (Eastern Europe)|Galicia]] existed as separate principalities, each ruled by descendants of [[Yaroslav the Wise]]. Galicia was governed by the [[Rostislav of Tmutarakan|Rostislavich]] dynasty, while Volhynia was initially ruled by the [[Igor Yaroslavich|Igorevichs]] and eventually by the [[Iziaslav II of Kiev|Iziaslavich]] dynasty.{{Sfn|Magocsi|2010|p=123}} During the reign of [[Yaroslav Osmomysl]] (1153–1187), Galicia expanded its influence, extending as far as the Black Sea.{{Sfn|Magocsi|2010|p=123}}

Rivalry between the rulers of these principalities often revolved around efforts to assert dominance over one another. This conflict was finally resolved by [[Roman the Great]] (1197–1205), who not only succeeded in uniting Galicia and Volhynia under his rule but also briefly extended his authority over [[Kiev]]. Roman's consolidation of power laid the groundwork for the rise of the Principality of Galicia–Volhynia, which became a significant political force in the region.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages\R\O\Romanovychdynasty.htm|title=Romanovych dynasty [Romanovyc]|publisher=Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Ukraine|date=2001|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref>

[[File:Галицько-Волинський літопис (2002).djvu|thumb|page=5|Fragment of a copy of the ''[[Galician–Volhynian Chronicle]]'', a literary work and historical source of the period]]
Following Roman's death, a period of unrest ensued, lasting until his son [[Daniel of Galicia|Daniel Romanovich]] reclaimed the throne in 1238. Daniel successfully restored his father's state, including Kiev. In 1240, the Mongol Empire, led by Batu Khan, unleashed devastating invasions across Kievan Rus'. Cities like Kiev were sacked, leaving much of the region in ruins. Daniel's decisive victory at the [[Battle of Yaroslavl (1245)|Battle of Yaroslavl]] in 1245 ended internal conflicts and firmly secured his control over the state. By 1246, Daniel was compelled to recognize Mongol supremacy to safeguard his state. Though this submission was humiliating, it allowed Daniel to retain some degree of autonomy, provided he paid tribute to the Mongol khan.{{sfn|Vernadsky|1970|p=144–149}}

Despite this subjugation, Daniel remained determined to free Ruthenia from Mongol dominance. He sought support from Western Europe, forging diplomatic ties with the [[Papacy]], [[Kingdom of Poland|Poland]], [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungary]], and the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. In 1253, Daniel was crowned [[King of Ruthenia]] ({{Langx|la|Rex Rusiae}}) by a papal legate in [[Drohiczyn]], receiving formal recognition from [[Pope Innocent IV]]. This coronation symbolized Ruthenia's alignment with [[Western Europe]] and its Christian identity, while still adhering to the Orthodox faith. The crowning also carried the hope of an anti-Mongol alliance, though such a coalition never materialized due to political divisions in Western Europe.{{sfn|Magocsi|2010|p=126}} King Daniel also founded numerous cities that became hubs of trade, culture, and military strength. Among his most notable achievements were the establishments of [[Lviv]], named after his son Lev, and [[Chelm|Kholm]]. These urban centers not only revitalized the kingdom's economy but also helped Daniel consolidate his political authority over the region.<ref>[[Orest Subtelny]]. (1988) ''Ukraine: A History''. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, p62</ref><ref>Gloger, Zygmunt. ''[http://literat.ug.edu.pl/glogre/0037.htm Voivodeship of Ruthenia. Historic geography of old Polish lands (Województwo Ruskie. Geografia historyczna ziem dawnej Polski)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515232827/http://literat.ug.edu.pl/glogre/0037.htm |date=15 May 2018}}''. Library of Polish Literature POWRÓT.</ref>

After King Daniel Romanovych's death in 1264, the kingdom was inherited by his son, [[Leo I of Galicia|Lev Danylovych]]. Lev I ruled from 1269 to 1301 and relocated the capital from Kholm to Lviv. He continued his father's policies of defending the kingdom against external threats, particularly from the [[Mongols]], while also striving to maintain alliances with Poland and Lithuania to counterbalance Mongol influence. Although Lev managed to preserve the state's territorial integrity, the kingdom's power gradually eroded under the relentless pressure from the Mongol [[Golden Horde]] and ongoing internal political challenges.<ref>Котляр, М. Ф. ''[http://www.history.org.ua/?encyclop&termin=Lev_Danilovich Лев Данилович] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821235918/http://www.history.org.ua/?encyclop&termin=Lev_Danilovich |date=21 April 2016}}''</ref><ref>''Крип'якевич І. П''. Галицько-Волинське князівство.&nbsp;— Київ: Наукова думка, 1984.&nbsp;— С. 105.</ref> Following Lev's death in 1301, his son, [[Yuri I of Galicia|Yuri Lvovych]], ascended the throne and ruled until 1308. During his reign, Yuri I succeeded in maintaining relative stability, yet the kingdom's political position had significantly weakened compared to the time of Daniel. Despite his efforts, Yuri's reign was short-lived, and after his death, the kingdom entered a period of fragmentation.<ref>[http://chtyvo.org.ua/authors/Voitovych_Leontii/Yurii_Lvovych_i_ioho_polityka/ Войтович Л. (2001) Юрій Львович та його політика]. Галичина та Волинь у добу середньовіччя, до 800-річчя із дня народження Данила Галицького, Львів: Інститут українознавства ім. І. Крип'яквича НАН України.</ref>

[[File:Alex K Yuri Boleslav seal.png|left|thumb|upright=1.0|King's seal of Yuri Lvovych]]
Yuri's sons, [[Andrew of Galicia|Andrew]] and [[Leo II of Galicia|Lev II]], attempted to co-rule, but their efforts to sustain the kingdom's unity and strength ultimately failed. The Mongol Golden Horde continued to exert substantial influence over the weakened [[Kingdom of Ruthenia]] throughout the 14th century.<ref>Котляр М. Ф. ''[http://www.history.org.ua/index.php?termin=Andrij_Y Андрій Юрійович] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425163510/http://www.history.org.ua/index.php?termin=Andrij_Y |date=25 April 2016}}''</ref><ref>Котляр М. Ф. ''[http://resource.history.org.ua/cgi-bin/eiu/history.exe?Z21ID=&I21DBN=EIU&P21DBN=EIU&S21STN=1&S21REF=10&S21FMT=eiu_all&C21COM=S&S21CNR=20&S21P01=0&S21P02=0&S21P03=TRN=&S21COLORTERMS=0&S21STR=Lev_Yuriyovych Лев Юрійович] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425163510/http://www.history.org.ua/index.php?termin=Lev_Y |date=25 April 2016}}''</ref> After the deaths of the co-rulers around 1323, the kingdom found itself without strong leadership. [[Yuri II Boleslav]], the last ruler of the Kingdom of Ruthenia, took power following the demise of the Romanovych line. Reigning from 1323 to 1340, he was a member of the Polish [[Piast dynasty]], chosen as king due to his maternal connection to the Ruthenian royal family—his mother, [[Maria of Galicia|Maria]], was the daughter of Lev I.<ref name=Jasinski60>{{cite book |last=Jasiński |first=Kazimierz|title=Rodowód Piastów mazowieckich |year=1998 |publisher=Wydawnictwo Historyczne |location=Poznań - Wrocław |isbn=83-913563-0-2 |page=60 }}</ref> Upon ascending the throne, Boleslav converted to [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Orthodox Christianity]] and adopted the name Yuriy to garner support from the local Orthodox nobility. However, his reign was fraught with tension due to his [[Catholic]] background, which clashed with the predominantly Orthodox Ruthenian elite. During his rule, Yuriy II struggled to balance the competing interests of Poland, Lithuania, and the Mongol Golden Horde, while also introducing pro-Catholic policies that alienated the local nobility. His rule culminated in his assassination in 1340 by [[Ruthenians|Ruthenian]] nobles discontented with his leadership. His death triggered a fierce power struggle between Poland and Lithuania for control over the region. Soon after, [[Galicia (Eastern Europe)|Galicia]] was annexed by Poland, and [[Volhynia]] fell under Lithuanian rule, marking the end of the independent Kingdom of Ruthenia.<ref name=":Krypiakevich"/>