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
House
of Rurik
Rurik (Rörek)
c. 880-882
Oleg (Helge the Wise)
= c.
882-912
c. 882-912
Igor (Ingvar)
= c.
912-945
c. 912-969
Unknown period (descendants of Igor)
919?-969?
Svyateslav Igorevich
= c.
945-972
-969?
Uleb Igorevich
c. 969-980
Vladimir Svatoy (the Holy)
= c. 980-1015
c. 980-987
c. 987-1010
Unknown period (descendants of Vladimir)
Vysheslav Vladimirovich
= c.
882-912
