But their successors, not possessing like qualities, were unable to maintain the regal dignity; and gradually Kief sank into a provincial town, and the scepter was transferred to the principality of Souzdal.
Andre, of Souzdal, abolished the system of _appanages_, as it was called, in which the principalities were in entire subjection to the princes who reigned over them, these princes only rendering vassal service to the sovereign.

He, in their stead, appointed governors over the distant provinces, who were his agents to execute his commands.
This measure gave new energy and consolidation to the monarchy, and added incalculable strength to the regal arm.

But the grand princes, who immediately succeeded Andre, had not efficiency to maintain this system, and the princes again regained their position of comparative independence.

Indeed, they were undisputed sovereigns of their principalities, bound only to recognize the superior rank of the grand prince, and to aid him, when called upon, as allies.
In process of time the princes of the five great principalities, Pereiaslavle, Tchernigof, Kief, Novgorod and Smolensk, were subdivided, through the energies of warlike nobles, into minor appanages, or independent provinces, independent in every thing save feudal service, a service often feebly recognized and dimly defined.
The sovereigns of the great provinces assumed the title of Grand Princes.

The smaller sovereigns were simply called Princes.