Black Ruthenia,
Black Rus' or
Black Russia are variant conventional term used for a region around
Navahrudak (
Novgorodok), in the western part of contemporary
Belarus on the upper reaches of the
Neman River. The phrase first appeared in Western European sources circa 1360 but referring to
Red Ruthenia (in modern
Ukraine). The name "Black Ruthenia" is more often found in historical writings from the 18th century. Early Rus'ian sources themselves rarely use the terms "
White Ruś" or "Black Ruś". Besides
Navahrudak, other important cities were
Hrodna (
Grodno),
Slonim,
Volkovysk (Vaŭkavysk),
Lida, and
Niasvizh.
From 1239, most of Black Ruthenia was usually controlled by the monarch of the
Lithuanian principality,
Mindaugas. 1239 - 1248 was the period with the highest frequency of attacks on Rus'ian territories by Mindaugas, who was taking advantage of Rus' weakened condition after the Tartar invasions. At this time Mindaugas took control of Black Ruthenia with the Castle of Novgorodok. Mindaugas may have been invited by authorities of Novgorodok to rule after he had to leave his native land, he then passed a power to his son
Vaišvilkas. In 1249
Tautvilas,
Erdvilas, and
Vykintas fled to
Daniel Romanovich, the
Prince of Galich. Daniel helped them to organize a coalition against Mindaugas and attacked territory in Black Rus'. In the meantime, Vykintas managed to bribe the
Yotvingians and half of the
Samogitians, and come to an agreement with
Livonian Brothers of the Sword. In 1254 Prince Daniel overpowered Novgorodok and passed the territory to his son
Roman Danilovich, with whom it remained for several years, before being restored to Vaišvilkas, who died in 1267. He was followed by other princes of Lithuanian origin. From the end of the 13th century Black Rus', together with the original Lithuania, comprised the nucleus of the
Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
See also
