RUS’-POLISH RELATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF DANYLO AND VASYLKO ROMANOVICHES’ STRUGGLE FOR THE FATHER’S HERITAGE (1205–1245)

Background: the issue of the study of Rus’-Polish relations in the context of the struggle of Danylo and Vasylko Romanoviches for the paternal heritage is important at the present stage of the development of the historical research. Interstate relations between Rus’ and Poland in the first half of the 13th century need extensive analysis for finding out their peculiarities. Purpose: to objectively cover the peculiarities of the international relations of Rus’ and Poland during the Romanoviches’ struggle for the paternal inheritance in 1205–1245. For this it is necessary to consider topical issues of the Rus’-Polish relations, to analyze the discussion aspects of the policy of the Polish princes concerning the Volyn and Galicia lands, to determine the peculiarities of the interstate relations of Rus’, Poland, Hungary and the Golden Horde. Results: Rus’-Polish relations of the times of Danylo and Vasylko Romanoviches’ struggle for paternal heritage were complicated. Chronologically there are several periods: the first – 1205–1227, the second – 1227–1235, and the third – 1235–1245. If during the first period the political dependence of the young Danylo and Vasylko on the experienced Leshko Bilyi was observed, then after the death of prince of Little Poland, during the second period, the Romanoviches became allies of Conrad I. When the prince of Mazovia decided to support Mikhailo Vsevolodovich in the fight for Galych the third period began. The alternation of peaceful, hostile and allied relations between the rulers of Rus’ and Poland is common to all the three periods. The difference is that there was a change in the political priorities of the Polish princes depending on the changes in the position of Danylo and Vasylko. The victory of the Romanoviches in the Yaroslav battle in 1245 was a logical finish of the forty-years struggle of Roman Mstislavoviches’ sons for their father’s inheritance. Key words: Rus’-Polish relations, Volyn land, Galych land, Danylo Romanovich, Vasylko Romanovich, Leshko Bilyi, Konrad I Mazowiecki.