Abstract
This article deals with titles of Old Russian rulers in the Livonian chronicles and Russian-Livonian contracts between the 13th and the 15th centuries. Although the Russian rulers are mentioned as Dukes or Grand Dukes in the Russian chronicles, the western chronicles were using titles "King" or "Grand King".
The similar titles also appear in the diplomatic sources. The terms "King" or "Grand King" were merely honorary titles witch made Russian dukes equal to the Kings of Poland, Danmark, Sweden or France.
Using the royal title could also demonstrate that the western authors were not familiar with the exact political situation in Old Russia. In the West ruled a general opinion that the Russians must have Kings.
This was reflected in the effort of papal and imperial envoys to persuade the Russians rulers to hold the Kings'' coronation.