The
Principality of Chernigov (modern
Chernihiv in northern
Ukraine) was the main Olgovichi
patrimony (hence the term "Olgovichi of Chernigov"), with the
Principality of Novgorod-Seversk (modern
Novhorod-Siverskyi) serving as the primary
appanage. From 1054 to 1186, the
Principality of Murom–Ryazan was subordinate to the Olgovichi of Chernigov; then it sought an independent existence between Chernigov and Suzdalia until
Vsevolod the Big Nest destroyed and depopulated Ryazan in 1208. The Olgovichi frequently managed to put one of their clan members on the
grand princely throne of Kiev (modern
Kyiv), including
Michael of Chernigov, who in the wake of the
Mongol invasion was executed by
Batu Khan in 1246 and later canonised as an Orthodox saint. There is some uncertainty regarding his descendants, who from the late 13th century appear to have expanded Olgovichi control to
Bryansk,
Kursk, and the
Upper Oka Principalities (in the present-day
Russian Federation). From 1301 to 1324, the Olgovichi reigned in Kiev again. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Olgovichi principalities were gradually divided between the
Grand Duchy of Lithuania (where the clan was incorporated into the
Ruthenian nobility) and the
Principality of Moscow. The creator of ''
The Tale of Igor's Campaign'' criticised the founder of this family,
Oleg Svyatoslavich (Gorislavich), for excessive lust for power and undermining the integrity of the Rus' state. The Olgovichi cooperated with the Polovtsian khans the most among all princely clans and fought with them against the rest of the Rus' princes. Slovenian–Canadian Slavistics researcher and priest Martin Dimnik (1941–2020) has published extensive studies on the Olgovichi. == Notes ==