Principality of Drutsk

Principality of Drutsk
Князство Друцкое (Sla)
Appanage principality of Polotsk Principality
1101–1565
of Drutsk
Coat of arms
CapitalDrutsk
 • TypeFeudal monarchy
History 
• Established
1101
• Disestablished
1565
Succeeded by
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Today part ofBelarus

The Principality of Drutsk (Belarusian: Княства Друцкае; obsolete spelling: Druck) was a small appanage of the Principality of Polotsk, centred in the city of Drutsk.[1] It was located on a three way stick between Vitebsk, Minsk and Mogilev regions in modern Belarus.

The appanage principality of Drutsk was established after the death of Vseslav, the Prince of Polotsk, in 1101 and the division of the Polatsk territory between Vseslav's sons. Drutsk was given to Rogvolod-Boris. Soon its territory was taken over by another appanage duchy of Polotsk, Principality of Minsk governed by Gleb Vseslavich. In 1116, the Principality of Drutsk was taken over by the Grand Principality of Kiev governed by Volodymyr Monomakh, but by 1150s it was returned to Principality of Minsk. Eventually Drutsk was entirely taken over by the Principality of Minsk in the second half of the 13th century and in early 14th century by another appanage duchy of Polotsk, Principality of Vitebsk.

It is believed that Algirdas, Grand Duke of Lithuania, acquired the Principality by marriage to Maria of Vitebsk. The principality became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania where it existed as an autonomous principality until an administrative reform in 1565–1566, when it was included into the Orsha county of Vitebsk Voivodeship.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fennell 2014 p. 17 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).