Black Ruthenia

History

The convention of distinguishing different Ruthenian regions by colours was first done by Medieval Western and Central European historians from the 14th to 17th centuries. It was first done circa 1360 by , referring to the Black and Red Ruthenia (placing them in modern Ukraine). Some researchers claim that this color naming convention was influenced by the Mongol invaders, who used them for the cardinal directions.

Sometimes in the 16th century, the names Black, White and Red Ruthenia were given respectively to the Grand Duchy of Moscow, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and Lithuanian-owned Ruthenian lands that were given to Poland during the Union of Lublin.

According to Bancks' book from 1813, Black Russia was composed of the Governorates of Kaluga, Moscow, Tula, Ryazan, Vladimir and Yaroslav.

According to Alfred Nicolas Rambaud in the late 19th century:The Lithuanian territories of Grodno, Novogrodek and Belostok were sometimes called Black Russia.

On some Polish maps "Black Ruthenia" (Rus Czarna) covered areas of modern Belarus, which were labeled "White Ruthenia" on other maps.

References

References

1. Spečiūnas, Vytautas. "Juodoji Rusia".
2. Sužiedėlis, Simas. (1955). "Gudų dvejopa invazija". [[Tėvynės Sargas]].
3. Chatelain. (1712). "Carte De Pologne Avec La Chronologie Des Rois Et Des Ducs De Lithuanie, Ainsi Que Des Grands Maitres De L'Ordre Teutonique Les Evechez et Archeveches, et Les Armes Des Provinces . . .".
4. Łatyszonek, Oleg. (2006). "Od Rusinów Białych do Białorusinów: u *zródeł białoruskiej idei narodowej". Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku.
5. Bancks, John. (1813). "The Life of Peter the Great, Formerly Emperor of Russia". [[Moore & Lake]].
6. Rambaud, Alfred. (1898). "History of Russia".