Mstyslav Iziaslavych

XII page → Kyivan Rus → Princely times → Princes and Princesses

Mstyslav Iziaslavych (baptismal name – Theodore; birth place and date unknown – 13.08.1170, town of Volodymyr, now Volodymyr-Volynsky, Volyn Oblast) – Prince of Pereyaslav (1146–1149, 1151–1154), Peresopnytsia (1155–1156), Volyn (1156–1170), Grand Prince of Kyiv (1167–1169, 1170).

Son of Grand Prince Iziaslav Mstyslavych of Kyiv, progenitor of the second Halych-Volyn princely dynasty. Took part in his father’s wars, in all campaigns and battles at the most crucial and dangerous places, in particular against Chernihiv Princes and Prince Yuri Dolgoruky of Vladimir-Suzdal.

In 1152 twice defeated the Polovtsian hordes. Having strengthened his positions in Volyn, he started the struggle for Kyiv. In 1160 he captured the city and put his uncle, Prince Rostyslav Mstyslavych of Smolensk, on the Kyiv throne. After his death, Mstyslav became Grand Prince of Kyiv. In 1168, together with other princes, defeated hordes of the Polovtsians at the Orel and Snoporod Rivers. In March 1169 defended Kyiv from the army of Prince Andrei Bogoliubsky but had to leave the city and retreat to Volyn. In 1170 he again captured Kyiv.

Buried at the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in the town of Volodymyr-Volynsky.