Janybek Khan and Prince Liubartas-Dmitry

• Main Author: Ya.V. Pilipchuk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: State Institution «Sh.Marjani Institute of History of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences» 2013-11-01
• Series: Zolotoordynskoe Obozrenie
• Subjects: Janybek Khan; Uzbek Khan; Ulus of Jochi; Grand Duchy of Lithuania; Liubartas-Dmitry
• Online Access: http://goldhorde.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/%D0%97%D0%BE%D0%BB-%D0%9E%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%B7%D1%802-73-100.pdf

This study focuses on the relations between the Volyn principality of Liubartas-Dmitry and the Ulus of Jochi under the rule of Janybek Khan. Liubartas-Dmitry ascended the throne of the Eastern Volyn largely due to the will of Uzbek Khan. The Land of Berestia together with the Eastern Volyn was the Liubartas’ appanage land in Volyn. As Boleslaw-Yuri II, Liubartas-Dmitry was compelled to pay tribute to the Tatars. During the War of the Galicia-Volyn legacy, Liubartas acted as a vassal of the Ulus of Jochi and ally of Uzbek Khan. Liubartas’ relations with Janybek Khan were fundamentally different from his previous relations with Uzbek Khan. Casimir III enjoyed greater sympathy of the Golden Horde khan due to the payment of tribute. Except for the campaign of 1351–1352, Janybek was hostile towards Lithuania. Only the common hostility of the Poles and Hungarians towards the Volyn and Podolia forced the khan of Ulus of Jochi to intervene on the side of the Lithuanians. For Janibek the western vector of his foreign policy was not a priority. He could accept the loss of a tribute from several Slavic principalities in exchange for success on other fronts, more profitable in terms of the spoils of war. Unlike the Koriatoviches and Olelkoviches, the Gediminoviches of Volyn were more peacefully disposed towards the Tatars since during the “Great Disorder” their land-holdings did not increase at the expense of Jochid possessions.