Mstislav was the fourth of five sons (and the eighth of nine children) of Rostislav Mstislavich, the Rostislavichi of Smolensk progenitor who was briefly Grand Prince of Kiev in 1167.
[4][5] In 1171, Mstislav and his brothers helped place their uncle, Vladimir Mstislavich of Dorogobuzh, on the Kievan throne, although he was soon deposed.
In reply, Mstislav shaved the head and beard of an envoy and sent him back to Andrey,[7] an act which was not only a sign of disrespect, but may also be seen as a forcible tonsure of the man.
He led the Novgorodians against the Chud (Finnic tribes in modern-day Russia or Estonia) during the winter of 1179–1180, but fell ill the following spring and died on 14 June 1180.
[16] The Kievan Chronicle (Hypatian Codex) called Mstislav the "Jewel" (украшение) of the Rus' princes, saying that he warred only for glory, despised gold and silver, gave all his booty to the church and was universally loved.