HistoryData
war1216

1216 battle in the Kievan Rus'

April 29, 1216

The Battle of Lipitsa ended the Vladimir-Suzdal succession war, placing Konstantin Vsevolodovich on the grand princely throne of Vladimir.

Quick Facts

Year
1216
Category
war

Key Facts

Date of Battle
22 April 1216
Conflict Duration
1212–1216
Victor
Konstantin Vsevolodovich and Mstislav the Bold
Defeated
Yuri Vsevolodovich and Yaroslav Vsevolodovich
Konstantin's Reign After Battle
Approximately 2 years (until his death)

By the Numbers

22
Date of Battle
1,212
Conflict Duration
2
Konstantin's Reign After Battle

Location

Lipitsa, Russia

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

The death of Vsevolod the Big Nest triggered a succession dispute over the grand princely throne of Vladimir among his sons. Konstantin, the eldest, clashed with his younger brothers Yuri and Yaroslav over rightful inheritance, drawing in outside allies and plunging Vladimir-Suzdal into a four-year civil conflict from 1212 to 1216.

Event

On 22 April 1216, the allied forces of Mstislav the Bold and Konstantin Vsevolodovich met the armies of Yuri and Yaroslav Vsevolodovich at Lipitsa. The battle proved decisive, with Konstantin's coalition defeating his younger brothers in open combat, resolving the armed struggle for supremacy over the Vladimir-Suzdal principality.

Consequence

Following the victory at Lipitsa, Konstantin Vsevolodovich assumed the grand princely throne of Vladimir, ending the succession war. He reigned as grand prince for approximately two years until his death, after which power passed back to Yuri Vsevolodovich, reshaping the political order of the northeastern Rus' principalities.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Forces of Konstantin Vsevolodovich and Mstislav the Bold
Key Commanders

Mstislav the Bold, Konstantin Vsevolodovich.

Side B

1 belligerent

Forces of Yuri Vsevolodovich and Yaroslav Vsevolodovich
Key Commanders

Yuri Vsevolodovich, Yaroslav Vsevolodovich.

Outcome
Victory for Konstantin Vsevolodovich and Mstislav the Bold; Konstantin became Grand Prince of Vladimir.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 12161216121312141215121712181219battle-of-lipitsa-1216