The Principality of Murom (Russian: Муромское княжество), also referred to as the Murom-Ryazan Principality (Russian: Муромо-Рязанское княжество) until the mid-12th century,[1] was a principality with its capital in Murom, now in Vladimir Oblast, Russia. Murom lay in an area that was strongly Finnic and for much of its medieval history, located in the homeland of the Muromians. In 1392, it was incorporated into the Grand Principality of Moscow.
History
It appears to have been an important Finnic settlement in the 9th century, with an archaeologically noticeable Scandinavian presence from the 10th century, as evidenced by Frankish swords, a tortoiseshell brooch and a sword chape.[2]
Oleg Sviatoslavich, a grandson of Yaroslav and the prince of Chernigov, ruled Murom through a posadnik in the early 1090s, and it was recognised as Oleg's sphere of influence at the Liubech Conference of 1097.[6] Here Oleg's brother Davyd was made co-ruler of Chernigov, and Oleg's lands were parcelled out between Oleg, Davyd and their brother Iaroslav; the latter obtained Murom with Ryazan.[7]
Murom appears to have been destroyed or at least devastated by the Mongol invasion of Rus' in 1237–1238. Khan Batu came to the frontier of Ryazan in the winter of 1237, and demanded tribute from the princes of Ryazan, Murom and Pronsk. This was rejected, and devastation of these lands followed.[8]
