Description
Volume 3 concludes the first cycle of the History of Ukraine-Rus’, which Mykhailo Hrushevsky characterized as the story of the Ukrainian people’s historical existence from its beginnings to the collapse of statehood in the fourteenth century. Here Hrushevsky deals with one of that history’s least known but most intriguing periods—the time of the preeminence of the Galician-Volhynian state and the spread of Tatar (Mongol) rule over the Ukrainian lands. The volume also offers a comprehensive discussion of all aspects of political, social, and cultural life in the Old Rus’ period.
In discussing the Galician-Volhynian state, Hrushevsky describes its first prince, Roman Mstyslavych, as an effective and forward-looking leader. His son Danylo Romanovych protected his state against the Tatars while seeking support from the West. That policy continued under Danylo’s successors, but with the extinction of the Riurykid dynasty the Galician-Volhynian lands were absorbed by Poland and Lithuania. During this same time the lands of the Dnipro region were experiencing the decline of the princely and military retinue system and increasing subordination to Tatar rule.
In examining life in Old Rus’, Hrushevsky discusses the rights and relations of princes, the functions of princely servitors and administrative officials, the legal code and judicial system, military organization, church organization, and the composition and structure of society. He goes on to describe economic relations, family and social relations, religious life, education, and artistic creativity. He also examines Old Rus’ writings, particularly the Kyiv and Galician-Volhynian Chronicles. Throughout, the master historian demonstrates the erudition and command of source materials for which he is renowned.
Volume 3 was translated by Bohdan Struminski. The volume was prepared for publication by two staff editors—editor in chief Frank Sysyn, who was involved in all aspects of the volume, and HTP managing editor Uliana M. Pasicznyk, who edited the translation for content and style—and two consulting editors, Yaroslav Fedoruk and Robert Romanchuk. Two introductions to the volume were provided by Svitlana Pankova and Volodymyr Aleksandrovych. This volume also features an addendum by Professor Romanchuk and a complete bibliography, including editorial updates, as well as four maps and a genealogical table.
The preparation of volume 3 was funded by generous donations from the Shevchenko Scientific Society, Inc., USA. The BCU Foundation in Toronto provided a grant for the printing and dissemination of the volume. The estate of the late Edward Brodacky of London, England, provided additional funding for the publication of volume 5.
See the subscription price for Mykhailo Hrushevsky’s History of Ukraine-Rus’ (vols. 1-10) (in 12 books).
Marko R. Stech –
Marta Font of the University of Pecs, Hungary, wrote a review of volume 3 of Mykhailo Hrushevsky’s History of Ukraine-Rus’. It was published in Speculum, vol. 93, no. 4 (October 2018), pp. 1214-16.