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'Prince Michael of Chernigov at the camp of Batu Khan', 1246 (1883). Found in the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Prince Michael of Chernigov (1185-1246) was one of the most powerful princes of Kievan Rus prior to the Mongol invasion. Between 1236 and 1340 the Mongols succeeded in conquering Rus. By 1245, Prince Michael was the only senior prince not to have submitted to the invaders. The following year he went to the camp of Batu Khan, leader of the Golden Horde, in order to pre-empt an attack on his domain, but was martyred when he refused to prostrate himself before the Mongols' idols.