Following the
Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus' of 1223–1240, the formerly prominent
Olgovichi clan of the
Principality of Chernigov gradually declined to a point where the descendants of Mikhail of Chernigov (died 1246) ruled dozens of quasi-sovereign entities.[citation needed] As the principalities were wedged in between the ever-expanding
Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the west and the nascent
Principality of Moscow to the north, their rulers were constricted to continually fluctuate between these two major powers as buffer states.[1]
By the end of the 14th century, they were obliged to pay annual tribute to Lithuania.[citation needed] The strengthening alliance of Lithuanian rulers with
Roman CatholicPoland caused shifts in the balance of power in the region. Most
Orthodox rulers of the Upper Oka Principalities, therefore, started to look to Moscow for protection against Lithuanian expansionism.[citation needed] Others sought Lithuanian protection against Muscovite aggression, such as Prince Ivan of
Mozhaysk who in 1454 fled to Lithuania to escape from
Vasily II of Moscow.[2] Towards the end of the 15th century, most of these princelings had moved to the Muscovite court. In 1494 Lithuania finally renounced her claims to the region.[citation needed]
Following the
Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus' of 1223–1240, the formerly prominent
Olgovichi clan of the
Principality of Chernigov gradually declined to a point where the descendants of Mikhail of Chernigov (died 1246) ruled dozens of quasi-sovereign entities.[citation needed] As the principalities were wedged in between the ever-expanding
Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the west and the nascent
Principality of Moscow to the north, their rulers were constricted to continually fluctuate between these two major powers as buffer states.[1]
By the end of the 14th century, they were obliged to pay annual tribute to Lithuania.[citation needed] The strengthening alliance of Lithuanian rulers with
Roman CatholicPoland caused shifts in the balance of power in the region. Most
Orthodox rulers of the Upper Oka Principalities, therefore, started to look to Moscow for protection against Lithuanian expansionism.[citation needed] Others sought Lithuanian protection against Muscovite aggression, such as Prince Ivan of
Mozhaysk who in 1454 fled to Lithuania to escape from
Vasily II of Moscow.[2] Towards the end of the 15th century, most of these princelings had moved to the Muscovite court. In 1494 Lithuania finally renounced her claims to the region.[citation needed]