Sack of Chernigov

Most of the Principality of Chernigov was located on the left bank of the river Dnieper, within the basins of the Desna and Seim rivers. The principality was supposedly populated by mostly Slavic tribes of Siverians and partially by the Dnieper Polans. Later the territory of the principality extended to the lands of the Radimichs and partially the Vyatichs and Drehovichs. The capital of the principality was the city of Chernigov, the other main important cities were Novgorod-Seversky, Starodub-Seversky, Trubchevsk and Kozelsk. Ownership and influence of the Chernigov Principality bordered Murom-Ryazan Land to the north and Tmutorokan Principality to the southeast.

The Mongol invasion of Rus' can be divided into two phases. In the winter of 1237-38, they conquered the northern Rus' territories (the principalities of Ryazan and Vladimir-Suzdal) with the exception of the Novgorod Republic, but in the spring of 1238 they retreated back to the Wild Fields.[1] The second campaign, aimed at the southern Rus' territories (the principalities of Chernigov and Kiev) came in 1239.[2]

In the autumn of 1239, the Tatar horde captured Hlukhiv, Kursk, Rylsk, and Putivl, and advanced towards Chernigov.[3] When Prince Mstislav heard that the Tatars were attacking the town, he came with his troops to confront them.[4] The nomads used catapults that hurled stones the distance of a bowshot and a half. Mstislav escaped, but many of his men were killed.[5]

After Chernigov fell on October 18, the Tatars pillaged the towns in the surrounding countryside. Even the capital city of Kiev fell in autumn of 1240.The Principality of Chernigov was dissolved after the Mongol invasion.[6]