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#DisclaimersForBooksOrMoviesThis is largely based in fields and doesn't involve a ship going down (ie sinking) in any waterways
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#HashtagGames
#DisclaimersForBooksOrMoviesThis is largely based in fields and doesn't involve a ship going down (ie sinking) in any waterways
(Watership Down)
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Stalin, Trotsky and the 1926 British General Strike. Chris Marsden• 5 May 2026. The Revolutionary Communist Party abandons Corbyn only to embrace ...#AshFieldAcademy #Leicester—aSpecialEducationalNeedsandDisabilities #SEND #TomBarker #UNISON
Ash Field Teaching assistants in Leicester, UK continue strike in defense of union rep, Tom Barker -
Stalin, Trotsky and the 1926 British General Strike. Chris Marsden• 5 May 2026. The Revolutionary Communist Party abandons Corbyn only to embrace ...#AshFieldAcademy #Leicester—aSpecialEducationalNeedsandDisabilities #SEND #TomBarker #UNISON
Ash Field Teaching assistants in Leicester, UK continue strike in defense of union rep, Tom Barker -
Stalin, Trotsky and the 1926 British General Strike. Chris Marsden• 5 May 2026. The Revolutionary Communist Party abandons Corbyn only to embrace ...#AshFieldAcademy #Leicester—aSpecialEducationalNeedsandDisabilities #SEND #TomBarker #UNISON
Ash Field Teaching assistants in Leicester, UK continue strike in defense of union rep, Tom Barker -
Stalin, Trotsky and the 1926 British General Strike. Chris Marsden• 5 May 2026. The Revolutionary Communist Party abandons Corbyn only to embrace ...#AshFieldAcademy #Leicester—aSpecialEducationalNeedsandDisabilities #SEND #TomBarker #UNISON
Ash Field Teaching assistants in Leicester, UK continue strike in defense of union rep, Tom Barker -
Review: Mausoleum Gate “Space, Rituals and Magick’
Release date: Out Now
Label: Cruz Del Sur Music
8 minutesThe Nwothm
Finnish heavy metal cult Mausoleum Gate return with their heavily anticipated third studio album. “Space, Rituals and Magick” is available now via Cruz Del Sur Music on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
Formed in 2008, Mausoleum Gate have carved a reputation for their mystical and atmospheric approach to heavy metal, drawing inspiration from obscure gems of the 1980s and beyond. Their latest work continues this tradition, offering a journey into other realms and ancient times with a distinctive sound that remains recognisably their own.
Guitarist Count L.F remarks:
Well the notorious third album shall we say? Or so the legend that I have heard goes. This time with Mausoleum Gate. The album took remarkable time to make for various reasons. Sometimes the song not intended to album was growing a serious epic and so on. Well as we called it -The Church of Isaac 666 (a phrase in Finnish called “Iisakin kirkko” which means a building that is never finished) but here we are! As usual the album differs from previous albums. This seems to be the case with us. Anyway still sounding Mausoleum Gate. This is the point. Our line-up has changed quite a lot since the last album and that of course changes the sound of the band but you can recognise the band. And the melodies and harmonies are still there. This time the compositions are maybe more of a band effort than ever before which gives a new nuances. New members: Jarno Saarinen, Jari Kourunen and Jarno Koskell have brought a great addition to Mausoleum Gate – as well as playing wise and composing wise. The new line-up has been tested live a few times but now its time to reveal the claws in album size! Last but definitely not the least our long time artist Timo Raita who did awesome job this time – again!
Review
Vision Divine is the first track of the album and essentially my introduction to the band. Noticeably straight I get this very organic vibe especially with the drums which do not feel over processed and focus on the acoustic qualities. There are repeating synths phrases and effects that make you feel your travelling through space. I am loving the jump in pacing and the melodic work delivered by the guitars. It just injects this sense of energy which catches your attention instantly. And throughout everything flies forward on top of some great (and sometimes unusually interesting) synth beds).The solo work slots in perfectly adding some flair to the song. And the vocal work helps to gel everything together ultimately creating this very organic, raw and nostalgic sound which has got me tuned in.
Lucifer Shrine shines strong with powerful and bright synth chords to open up the track. Unlike “Vision Divine” the tempo takes a step into the mid tempo range but packs a lot of punch. Notably I am liking the flowing feel of the melodies by both the guitars and synth notes in the background. And due to the mix being being very unrefined or polished you can here nuances, the roughness and grit of the guitar tones. And it is a pleasant listen. The vocals just like the track before are like butter on top of toast. Smooth and just go really well with the music. When the song breaks down to some riffing the synths even jump in for a bit of play. A refreshing break to a lot of the heavy metal and hard rock I have been listening too. Then it starts to get hella’ funky! The bass begins vibing the synths go off on one and the guitars are doing their thing. It comes all back together for one big bout driving towards the end. The vocals here are lower in key and add some nice weight to the song
Sacred Be Thy Throne come in at just around seven minutes so lets see if the length works. The band this time around have dialled things back to a mid/slower tempo pace. The band are all running together giving us some wonderful ideas before transition into a softer section where it is acoustic guitars, rolling snare patterns and calming vocal lines.Even little touches of synth in the background. A great way to bring balance to a song. Then a ripping riff cuts in helping to bring everything else back driving things forward. Things play out for a bit keeping the flow before dropping back down to our acoustic style section. However this time things pick up with some bold and heroic synths lighting up the mix in the background. Soon enough some majestic guitar harmonies shine light on the music and even the synths have a go. And as the sng progresses everything is gradually building in height and tone. The vocals that have played between calm and collected hit moments of energy and strength – especially when stacked.The passion just really holds this track up and high and does so until the very end. I am really digging this song and how the musical structure for not one minute feels boring. The acoustics and calm vocals bring Sacred Be Thy Throne to a close rounded everything off. What a brilliant song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OoZ9nH5z24
4. Shine The Night has a very unusual intro. Just imagine you are floating through the darkness of space and matter flies past you. The sounds of synth notes cry from the silent dead void like alien calls. The pulsing bass notes drift in with a 16th note hi-hat beat and glossy guitar riffs. Little tweets of synths cry out all presenting a very spacey vibe. The verses are strong and muscular with driving rhythms and ballsy vocals. There is a couple of times where the verse and main glossy riffs repeat. But later on there are some developments where the things feel heightened and the synths beep noises like a spaceship computer. The whole track really does feel like a trip through space and time. And I really think that the atmosphere and synths are what what create this whole feeling.
5. Space, Rituals And Magick gets down to business with some heavy metal riffing and more spacey vibes with trickling synth melodies and bubbling sound effects in the background. The song has pace and does not mess around getting locked into the riffs all while the bass and drums provide a solid backbone. The vocals have been spot on throughout the whole album just making everything feel together and wholesome. There are some unusual vocal moments which do not feel human but more like a robot which are ace. lines brimming with character and charm. Layered beneath, the synth beds add width and depth, amplifying the atmosphere. The space‑like vibe shines especially bright here, evoking the sensation of flying through an asteroid field. The outro ties everything together seamlessly, rounding off the track as another excellent addition to the release.
We reach the end of this epic journey with the Witches Circle. Now this track comes in at just over eight minutes making it the longest track on the record. And unlike the rest of the album a large part of this track is stripped back. The intro is very merry and glistens bright but that acts as a brief flash before what follows next. Acoustic guitars and warm vocal lines gracefully come in as well as very light tip taps on hand drums. These just help to keep the flow moving forward. The title of Witches Circles is sung at intervals while synth piano notes gradually weave in to the song. And over time ]the music builds, the bass getting a little more interesting, the drums dropping in to a slow and mellow 4/4 beat. Semi acoustic guitar riffing comes in and the synth notes play out in the background. Everything feels so chilled yet retro and nostalgic yet I have travelled back in time. Little guitar melodies sing out delightfully with almost whispering vocal lines joining for a stint. But as we approach the last two minutes the dazzling vibes of the intro section returns and even some ideas like you would hear at American football game flash by. The song closes with a few repeats of the title ending a great and adventurous album!
Conclusion
Overall, this album delivers a cohesive and engaging journey that blends raw, organic instrumentation with rich, space-inspired atmosphere. Each track stands out in its own way, whether through energetic riffs, mid-tempo grooves, or expansive, emotional builds, but they are all tied together by expressive vocals, unpolished warmth, and imaginative synth work. The band moves effortlessly between heavy metal power and cosmic ambience, keeping the album dynamic and never dull. By the time the final track closes, it is clear this release is both adventurous and confidently crafted, offering a refreshing and memorable experience from start to finish.
TheNwothm Score: 10/10
Links
Bandcamp: https://mausoleumgatemetal.bandcamp.com/album/space-rituals-and-magick
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MausoleumGate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mausoleumgate/
Label: https://cruzdelsurmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBDbBoZAJL4
Read More Reviews
#cruzDelSur #cruzDelSurMusic #heavyMetal #mausoleumGate #newAlbum #newWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #nwothm #ritualsAndMagick #space #spaceMetal #spaceRock #thenwothm #thenwothmCom
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Review: Mausoleum Gate “Space, Rituals and Magick’
Release date: Out Now
Label: Cruz Del Sur Music
8 minutesThe Nwothm
Finnish heavy metal cult Mausoleum Gate return with their heavily anticipated third studio album. “Space, Rituals and Magick” is available now via Cruz Del Sur Music on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
Formed in 2008, Mausoleum Gate have carved a reputation for their mystical and atmospheric approach to heavy metal, drawing inspiration from obscure gems of the 1980s and beyond. Their latest work continues this tradition, offering a journey into other realms and ancient times with a distinctive sound that remains recognisably their own.
Guitarist Count L.F remarks:
Well the notorious third album shall we say? Or so the legend that I have heard goes. This time with Mausoleum Gate. The album took remarkable time to make for various reasons. Sometimes the song not intended to album was growing a serious epic and so on. Well as we called it -The Church of Isaac 666 (a phrase in Finnish called “Iisakin kirkko” which means a building that is never finished) but here we are! As usual the album differs from previous albums. This seems to be the case with us. Anyway still sounding Mausoleum Gate. This is the point. Our line-up has changed quite a lot since the last album and that of course changes the sound of the band but you can recognise the band. And the melodies and harmonies are still there. This time the compositions are maybe more of a band effort than ever before which gives a new nuances. New members: Jarno Saarinen, Jari Kourunen and Jarno Koskell have brought a great addition to Mausoleum Gate – as well as playing wise and composing wise. The new line-up has been tested live a few times but now its time to reveal the claws in album size! Last but definitely not the least our long time artist Timo Raita who did awesome job this time – again!
Review
Vision Divine is the first track of the album and essentially my introduction to the band. Noticeably straight I get this very organic vibe especially with the drums which do not feel over processed and focus on the acoustic qualities. There are repeating synths phrases and effects that make you feel your travelling through space. I am loving the jump in pacing and the melodic work delivered by the guitars. It just injects this sense of energy which catches your attention instantly. And throughout everything flies forward on top of some great (and sometimes unusually interesting) synth beds).The solo work slots in perfectly adding some flair to the song. And the vocal work helps to gel everything together ultimately creating this very organic, raw and nostalgic sound which has got me tuned in.
Lucifer Shrine shines strong with powerful and bright synth chords to open up the track. Unlike “Vision Divine” the tempo takes a step into the mid tempo range but packs a lot of punch. Notably I am liking the flowing feel of the melodies by both the guitars and synth notes in the background. And due to the mix being being very unrefined or polished you can here nuances, the roughness and grit of the guitar tones. And it is a pleasant listen. The vocals just like the track before are like butter on top of toast. Smooth and just go really well with the music. When the song breaks down to some riffing the synths even jump in for a bit of play. A refreshing break to a lot of the heavy metal and hard rock I have been listening too. Then it starts to get hella’ funky! The bass begins vibing the synths go off on one and the guitars are doing their thing. It comes all back together for one big bout driving towards the end. The vocals here are lower in key and add some nice weight to the song
Sacred Be Thy Throne come in at just around seven minutes so lets see if the length works. The band this time around have dialled things back to a mid/slower tempo pace. The band are all running together giving us some wonderful ideas before transition into a softer section where it is acoustic guitars, rolling snare patterns and calming vocal lines.Even little touches of synth in the background. A great way to bring balance to a song. Then a ripping riff cuts in helping to bring everything else back driving things forward. Things play out for a bit keeping the flow before dropping back down to our acoustic style section. However this time things pick up with some bold and heroic synths lighting up the mix in the background. Soon enough some majestic guitar harmonies shine light on the music and even the synths have a go. And as the sng progresses everything is gradually building in height and tone. The vocals that have played between calm and collected hit moments of energy and strength – especially when stacked.The passion just really holds this track up and high and does so until the very end. I am really digging this song and how the musical structure for not one minute feels boring. The acoustics and calm vocals bring Sacred Be Thy Throne to a close rounded everything off. What a brilliant song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OoZ9nH5z24
4. Shine The Night has a very unusual intro. Just imagine you are floating through the darkness of space and matter flies past you. The sounds of synth notes cry from the silent dead void like alien calls. The pulsing bass notes drift in with a 16th note hi-hat beat and glossy guitar riffs. Little tweets of synths cry out all presenting a very spacey vibe. The verses are strong and muscular with driving rhythms and ballsy vocals. There is a couple of times where the verse and main glossy riffs repeat. But later on there are some developments where the things feel heightened and the synths beep noises like a spaceship computer. The whole track really does feel like a trip through space and time. And I really think that the atmosphere and synths are what what create this whole feeling.
5. Space, Rituals And Magick gets down to business with some heavy metal riffing and more spacey vibes with trickling synth melodies and bubbling sound effects in the background. The song has pace and does not mess around getting locked into the riffs all while the bass and drums provide a solid backbone. The vocals have been spot on throughout the whole album just making everything feel together and wholesome. There are some unusual vocal moments which do not feel human but more like a robot which are ace. lines brimming with character and charm. Layered beneath, the synth beds add width and depth, amplifying the atmosphere. The space‑like vibe shines especially bright here, evoking the sensation of flying through an asteroid field. The outro ties everything together seamlessly, rounding off the track as another excellent addition to the release.
We reach the end of this epic journey with the Witches Circle. Now this track comes in at just over eight minutes making it the longest track on the record. And unlike the rest of the album a large part of this track is stripped back. The intro is very merry and glistens bright but that acts as a brief flash before what follows next. Acoustic guitars and warm vocal lines gracefully come in as well as very light tip taps on hand drums. These just help to keep the flow moving forward. The title of Witches Circles is sung at intervals while synth piano notes gradually weave in to the song. And over time ]the music builds, the bass getting a little more interesting, the drums dropping in to a slow and mellow 4/4 beat. Semi acoustic guitar riffing comes in and the synth notes play out in the background. Everything feels so chilled yet retro and nostalgic yet I have travelled back in time. Little guitar melodies sing out delightfully with almost whispering vocal lines joining for a stint. But as we approach the last two minutes the dazzling vibes of the intro section returns and even some ideas like you would hear at American football game flash by. The song closes with a few repeats of the title ending a great and adventurous album!
Conclusion
Overall, this album delivers a cohesive and engaging journey that blends raw, organic instrumentation with rich, space-inspired atmosphere. Each track stands out in its own way, whether through energetic riffs, mid-tempo grooves, or expansive, emotional builds, but they are all tied together by expressive vocals, unpolished warmth, and imaginative synth work. The band moves effortlessly between heavy metal power and cosmic ambience, keeping the album dynamic and never dull. By the time the final track closes, it is clear this release is both adventurous and confidently crafted, offering a refreshing and memorable experience from start to finish.
TheNwothm Score: 10/10
Links
Bandcamp: https://mausoleumgatemetal.bandcamp.com/album/space-rituals-and-magick
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MausoleumGate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mausoleumgate/
Label: https://cruzdelsurmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBDbBoZAJL4
Read More Reviews
#cruzDelSur #cruzDelSurMusic #heavyMetal #mausoleumGate #newAlbum #newWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #nwothm #ritualsAndMagick #space #spaceMetal #spaceRock #thenwothm #thenwothmCom
-
Review: Mausoleum Gate “Space, Rituals and Magick’
Release date: Out Now
Label: Cruz Del Sur Music
8 minutesThe Nwothm
Finnish heavy metal cult Mausoleum Gate return with their heavily anticipated third studio album. “Space, Rituals and Magick” is available now via Cruz Del Sur Music on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
Formed in 2008, Mausoleum Gate have carved a reputation for their mystical and atmospheric approach to heavy metal, drawing inspiration from obscure gems of the 1980s and beyond. Their latest work continues this tradition, offering a journey into other realms and ancient times with a distinctive sound that remains recognisably their own.
Guitarist Count L.F remarks:
Well the notorious third album shall we say? Or so the legend that I have heard goes. This time with Mausoleum Gate. The album took remarkable time to make for various reasons. Sometimes the song not intended to album was growing a serious epic and so on. Well as we called it -The Church of Isaac 666 (a phrase in Finnish called “Iisakin kirkko” which means a building that is never finished) but here we are! As usual the album differs from previous albums. This seems to be the case with us. Anyway still sounding Mausoleum Gate. This is the point. Our line-up has changed quite a lot since the last album and that of course changes the sound of the band but you can recognise the band. And the melodies and harmonies are still there. This time the compositions are maybe more of a band effort than ever before which gives a new nuances. New members: Jarno Saarinen, Jari Kourunen and Jarno Koskell have brought a great addition to Mausoleum Gate – as well as playing wise and composing wise. The new line-up has been tested live a few times but now its time to reveal the claws in album size! Last but definitely not the least our long time artist Timo Raita who did awesome job this time – again!
Review
Vision Divine is the first track of the album and essentially my introduction to the band. Noticeably straight I get this very organic vibe especially with the drums which do not feel over processed and focus on the acoustic qualities. There are repeating synths phrases and effects that make you feel your travelling through space. I am loving the jump in pacing and the melodic work delivered by the guitars. It just injects this sense of energy which catches your attention instantly. And throughout everything flies forward on top of some great (and sometimes unusually interesting) synth beds).The solo work slots in perfectly adding some flair to the song. And the vocal work helps to gel everything together ultimately creating this very organic, raw and nostalgic sound which has got me tuned in.
Lucifer Shrine shines strong with powerful and bright synth chords to open up the track. Unlike “Vision Divine” the tempo takes a step into the mid tempo range but packs a lot of punch. Notably I am liking the flowing feel of the melodies by both the guitars and synth notes in the background. And due to the mix being being very unrefined or polished you can here nuances, the roughness and grit of the guitar tones. And it is a pleasant listen. The vocals just like the track before are like butter on top of toast. Smooth and just go really well with the music. When the song breaks down to some riffing the synths even jump in for a bit of play. A refreshing break to a lot of the heavy metal and hard rock I have been listening too. Then it starts to get hella’ funky! The bass begins vibing the synths go off on one and the guitars are doing their thing. It comes all back together for one big bout driving towards the end. The vocals here are lower in key and add some nice weight to the song
Sacred Be Thy Throne come in at just around seven minutes so lets see if the length works. The band this time around have dialled things back to a mid/slower tempo pace. The band are all running together giving us some wonderful ideas before transition into a softer section where it is acoustic guitars, rolling snare patterns and calming vocal lines.Even little touches of synth in the background. A great way to bring balance to a song. Then a ripping riff cuts in helping to bring everything else back driving things forward. Things play out for a bit keeping the flow before dropping back down to our acoustic style section. However this time things pick up with some bold and heroic synths lighting up the mix in the background. Soon enough some majestic guitar harmonies shine light on the music and even the synths have a go. And as the sng progresses everything is gradually building in height and tone. The vocals that have played between calm and collected hit moments of energy and strength – especially when stacked.The passion just really holds this track up and high and does so until the very end. I am really digging this song and how the musical structure for not one minute feels boring. The acoustics and calm vocals bring Sacred Be Thy Throne to a close rounded everything off. What a brilliant song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OoZ9nH5z24
4. Shine The Night has a very unusual intro. Just imagine you are floating through the darkness of space and matter flies past you. The sounds of synth notes cry from the silent dead void like alien calls. The pulsing bass notes drift in with a 16th note hi-hat beat and glossy guitar riffs. Little tweets of synths cry out all presenting a very spacey vibe. The verses are strong and muscular with driving rhythms and ballsy vocals. There is a couple of times where the verse and main glossy riffs repeat. But later on there are some developments where the things feel heightened and the synths beep noises like a spaceship computer. The whole track really does feel like a trip through space and time. And I really think that the atmosphere and synths are what what create this whole feeling.
5. Space, Rituals And Magick gets down to business with some heavy metal riffing and more spacey vibes with trickling synth melodies and bubbling sound effects in the background. The song has pace and does not mess around getting locked into the riffs all while the bass and drums provide a solid backbone. The vocals have been spot on throughout the whole album just making everything feel together and wholesome. There are some unusual vocal moments which do not feel human but more like a robot which are ace. lines brimming with character and charm. Layered beneath, the synth beds add width and depth, amplifying the atmosphere. The space‑like vibe shines especially bright here, evoking the sensation of flying through an asteroid field. The outro ties everything together seamlessly, rounding off the track as another excellent addition to the release.
We reach the end of this epic journey with the Witches Circle. Now this track comes in at just over eight minutes making it the longest track on the record. And unlike the rest of the album a large part of this track is stripped back. The intro is very merry and glistens bright but that acts as a brief flash before what follows next. Acoustic guitars and warm vocal lines gracefully come in as well as very light tip taps on hand drums. These just help to keep the flow moving forward. The title of Witches Circles is sung at intervals while synth piano notes gradually weave in to the song. And over time ]the music builds, the bass getting a little more interesting, the drums dropping in to a slow and mellow 4/4 beat. Semi acoustic guitar riffing comes in and the synth notes play out in the background. Everything feels so chilled yet retro and nostalgic yet I have travelled back in time. Little guitar melodies sing out delightfully with almost whispering vocal lines joining for a stint. But as we approach the last two minutes the dazzling vibes of the intro section returns and even some ideas like you would hear at American football game flash by. The song closes with a few repeats of the title ending a great and adventurous album!
Conclusion
Overall, this album delivers a cohesive and engaging journey that blends raw, organic instrumentation with rich, space-inspired atmosphere. Each track stands out in its own way, whether through energetic riffs, mid-tempo grooves, or expansive, emotional builds, but they are all tied together by expressive vocals, unpolished warmth, and imaginative synth work. The band moves effortlessly between heavy metal power and cosmic ambience, keeping the album dynamic and never dull. By the time the final track closes, it is clear this release is both adventurous and confidently crafted, offering a refreshing and memorable experience from start to finish.
TheNwothm Score: 10/10
Links
Bandcamp: https://mausoleumgatemetal.bandcamp.com/album/space-rituals-and-magick
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MausoleumGate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mausoleumgate/
Label: https://cruzdelsurmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBDbBoZAJL4
Read More Reviews
#cruzDelSur #cruzDelSurMusic #heavyMetal #mausoleumGate #newAlbum #newWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #nwothm #ritualsAndMagick #space #spaceMetal #spaceRock #thenwothm #thenwothmCom
-
Review: Mausoleum Gate “Space, Rituals and Magick’
Release date: Out Now
Label: Cruz Del Sur Music
8 minutesThe Nwothm
Finnish heavy metal cult Mausoleum Gate return with their heavily anticipated third studio album. “Space, Rituals and Magick” is available now via Cruz Del Sur Music on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
Formed in 2008, Mausoleum Gate have carved a reputation for their mystical and atmospheric approach to heavy metal, drawing inspiration from obscure gems of the 1980s and beyond. Their latest work continues this tradition, offering a journey into other realms and ancient times with a distinctive sound that remains recognisably their own.
Guitarist Count L.F remarks:
Well the notorious third album shall we say? Or so the legend that I have heard goes. This time with Mausoleum Gate. The album took remarkable time to make for various reasons. Sometimes the song not intended to album was growing a serious epic and so on. Well as we called it -The Church of Isaac 666 (a phrase in Finnish called “Iisakin kirkko” which means a building that is never finished) but here we are! As usual the album differs from previous albums. This seems to be the case with us. Anyway still sounding Mausoleum Gate. This is the point. Our line-up has changed quite a lot since the last album and that of course changes the sound of the band but you can recognise the band. And the melodies and harmonies are still there. This time the compositions are maybe more of a band effort than ever before which gives a new nuances. New members: Jarno Saarinen, Jari Kourunen and Jarno Koskell have brought a great addition to Mausoleum Gate – as well as playing wise and composing wise. The new line-up has been tested live a few times but now its time to reveal the claws in album size! Last but definitely not the least our long time artist Timo Raita who did awesome job this time – again!
Review
Vision Divine is the first track of the album and essentially my introduction to the band. Noticeably straight I get this very organic vibe especially with the drums which do not feel over processed and focus on the acoustic qualities. There are repeating synths phrases and effects that make you feel your travelling through space. I am loving the jump in pacing and the melodic work delivered by the guitars. It just injects this sense of energy which catches your attention instantly. And throughout everything flies forward on top of some great (and sometimes unusually interesting) synth beds).The solo work slots in perfectly adding some flair to the song. And the vocal work helps to gel everything together ultimately creating this very organic, raw and nostalgic sound which has got me tuned in.
Lucifer Shrine shines strong with powerful and bright synth chords to open up the track. Unlike “Vision Divine” the tempo takes a step into the mid tempo range but packs a lot of punch. Notably I am liking the flowing feel of the melodies by both the guitars and synth notes in the background. And due to the mix being being very unrefined or polished you can here nuances, the roughness and grit of the guitar tones. And it is a pleasant listen. The vocals just like the track before are like butter on top of toast. Smooth and just go really well with the music. When the song breaks down to some riffing the synths even jump in for a bit of play. A refreshing break to a lot of the heavy metal and hard rock I have been listening too. Then it starts to get hella’ funky! The bass begins vibing the synths go off on one and the guitars are doing their thing. It comes all back together for one big bout driving towards the end. The vocals here are lower in key and add some nice weight to the song
Sacred Be Thy Throne come in at just around seven minutes so lets see if the length works. The band this time around have dialled things back to a mid/slower tempo pace. The band are all running together giving us some wonderful ideas before transition into a softer section where it is acoustic guitars, rolling snare patterns and calming vocal lines.Even little touches of synth in the background. A great way to bring balance to a song. Then a ripping riff cuts in helping to bring everything else back driving things forward. Things play out for a bit keeping the flow before dropping back down to our acoustic style section. However this time things pick up with some bold and heroic synths lighting up the mix in the background. Soon enough some majestic guitar harmonies shine light on the music and even the synths have a go. And as the sng progresses everything is gradually building in height and tone. The vocals that have played between calm and collected hit moments of energy and strength – especially when stacked.The passion just really holds this track up and high and does so until the very end. I am really digging this song and how the musical structure for not one minute feels boring. The acoustics and calm vocals bring Sacred Be Thy Throne to a close rounded everything off. What a brilliant song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OoZ9nH5z24
4. Shine The Night has a very unusual intro. Just imagine you are floating through the darkness of space and matter flies past you. The sounds of synth notes cry from the silent dead void like alien calls. The pulsing bass notes drift in with a 16th note hi-hat beat and glossy guitar riffs. Little tweets of synths cry out all presenting a very spacey vibe. The verses are strong and muscular with driving rhythms and ballsy vocals. There is a couple of times where the verse and main glossy riffs repeat. But later on there are some developments where the things feel heightened and the synths beep noises like a spaceship computer. The whole track really does feel like a trip through space and time. And I really think that the atmosphere and synths are what what create this whole feeling.
5. Space, Rituals And Magick gets down to business with some heavy metal riffing and more spacey vibes with trickling synth melodies and bubbling sound effects in the background. The song has pace and does not mess around getting locked into the riffs all while the bass and drums provide a solid backbone. The vocals have been spot on throughout the whole album just making everything feel together and wholesome. There are some unusual vocal moments which do not feel human but more like a robot which are ace. lines brimming with character and charm. Layered beneath, the synth beds add width and depth, amplifying the atmosphere. The space‑like vibe shines especially bright here, evoking the sensation of flying through an asteroid field. The outro ties everything together seamlessly, rounding off the track as another excellent addition to the release.
We reach the end of this epic journey with the Witches Circle. Now this track comes in at just over eight minutes making it the longest track on the record. And unlike the rest of the album a large part of this track is stripped back. The intro is very merry and glistens bright but that acts as a brief flash before what follows next. Acoustic guitars and warm vocal lines gracefully come in as well as very light tip taps on hand drums. These just help to keep the flow moving forward. The title of Witches Circles is sung at intervals while synth piano notes gradually weave in to the song. And over time ]the music builds, the bass getting a little more interesting, the drums dropping in to a slow and mellow 4/4 beat. Semi acoustic guitar riffing comes in and the synth notes play out in the background. Everything feels so chilled yet retro and nostalgic yet I have travelled back in time. Little guitar melodies sing out delightfully with almost whispering vocal lines joining for a stint. But as we approach the last two minutes the dazzling vibes of the intro section returns and even some ideas like you would hear at American football game flash by. The song closes with a few repeats of the title ending a great and adventurous album!
Conclusion
Overall, this album delivers a cohesive and engaging journey that blends raw, organic instrumentation with rich, space-inspired atmosphere. Each track stands out in its own way, whether through energetic riffs, mid-tempo grooves, or expansive, emotional builds, but they are all tied together by expressive vocals, unpolished warmth, and imaginative synth work. The band moves effortlessly between heavy metal power and cosmic ambience, keeping the album dynamic and never dull. By the time the final track closes, it is clear this release is both adventurous and confidently crafted, offering a refreshing and memorable experience from start to finish.
TheNwothm Score: 10/10
Links
Bandcamp: https://mausoleumgatemetal.bandcamp.com/album/space-rituals-and-magick
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MausoleumGate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mausoleumgate/
Label: https://cruzdelsurmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBDbBoZAJL4
Read More Reviews
#cruzDelSur #cruzDelSurMusic #heavyMetal #mausoleumGate #newAlbum #newWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #nwothm #ritualsAndMagick #space #spaceMetal #spaceRock #thenwothm #thenwothmCom
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Review: Mausoleum Gate “Space, Rituals and Magick’
Release date: Out Now
Label: Cruz Del Sur Music
8 minutesThe Nwothm
Finnish heavy metal cult Mausoleum Gate return with their heavily anticipated third studio album. “Space, Rituals and Magick” is available now via Cruz Del Sur Music on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
Formed in 2008, Mausoleum Gate have carved a reputation for their mystical and atmospheric approach to heavy metal, drawing inspiration from obscure gems of the 1980s and beyond. Their latest work continues this tradition, offering a journey into other realms and ancient times with a distinctive sound that remains recognisably their own.
Guitarist Count L.F remarks:
Well the notorious third album shall we say? Or so the legend that I have heard goes. This time with Mausoleum Gate. The album took remarkable time to make for various reasons. Sometimes the song not intended to album was growing a serious epic and so on. Well as we called it -The Church of Isaac 666 (a phrase in Finnish called “Iisakin kirkko” which means a building that is never finished) but here we are! As usual the album differs from previous albums. This seems to be the case with us. Anyway still sounding Mausoleum Gate. This is the point. Our line-up has changed quite a lot since the last album and that of course changes the sound of the band but you can recognise the band. And the melodies and harmonies are still there. This time the compositions are maybe more of a band effort than ever before which gives a new nuances. New members: Jarno Saarinen, Jari Kourunen and Jarno Koskell have brought a great addition to Mausoleum Gate – as well as playing wise and composing wise. The new line-up has been tested live a few times but now its time to reveal the claws in album size! Last but definitely not the least our long time artist Timo Raita who did awesome job this time – again!
Review
Vision Divine is the first track of the album and essentially my introduction to the band. Noticeably straight I get this very organic vibe especially with the drums which do not feel over processed and focus on the acoustic qualities. There are repeating synths phrases and effects that make you feel your travelling through space. I am loving the jump in pacing and the melodic work delivered by the guitars. It just injects this sense of energy which catches your attention instantly. And throughout everything flies forward on top of some great (and sometimes unusually interesting) synth beds).The solo work slots in perfectly adding some flair to the song. And the vocal work helps to gel everything together ultimately creating this very organic, raw and nostalgic sound which has got me tuned in.
Lucifer Shrine shines strong with powerful and bright synth chords to open up the track. Unlike “Vision Divine” the tempo takes a step into the mid tempo range but packs a lot of punch. Notably I am liking the flowing feel of the melodies by both the guitars and synth notes in the background. And due to the mix being being very unrefined or polished you can here nuances, the roughness and grit of the guitar tones. And it is a pleasant listen. The vocals just like the track before are like butter on top of toast. Smooth and just go really well with the music. When the song breaks down to some riffing the synths even jump in for a bit of play. A refreshing break to a lot of the heavy metal and hard rock I have been listening too. Then it starts to get hella’ funky! The bass begins vibing the synths go off on one and the guitars are doing their thing. It comes all back together for one big bout driving towards the end. The vocals here are lower in key and add some nice weight to the song
Sacred Be Thy Throne come in at just around seven minutes so lets see if the length works. The band this time around have dialled things back to a mid/slower tempo pace. The band are all running together giving us some wonderful ideas before transition into a softer section where it is acoustic guitars, rolling snare patterns and calming vocal lines.Even little touches of synth in the background. A great way to bring balance to a song. Then a ripping riff cuts in helping to bring everything else back driving things forward. Things play out for a bit keeping the flow before dropping back down to our acoustic style section. However this time things pick up with some bold and heroic synths lighting up the mix in the background. Soon enough some majestic guitar harmonies shine light on the music and even the synths have a go. And as the sng progresses everything is gradually building in height and tone. The vocals that have played between calm and collected hit moments of energy and strength – especially when stacked.The passion just really holds this track up and high and does so until the very end. I am really digging this song and how the musical structure for not one minute feels boring. The acoustics and calm vocals bring Sacred Be Thy Throne to a close rounded everything off. What a brilliant song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OoZ9nH5z24
4. Shine The Night has a very unusual intro. Just imagine you are floating through the darkness of space and matter flies past you. The sounds of synth notes cry from the silent dead void like alien calls. The pulsing bass notes drift in with a 16th note hi-hat beat and glossy guitar riffs. Little tweets of synths cry out all presenting a very spacey vibe. The verses are strong and muscular with driving rhythms and ballsy vocals. There is a couple of times where the verse and main glossy riffs repeat. But later on there are some developments where the things feel heightened and the synths beep noises like a spaceship computer. The whole track really does feel like a trip through space and time. And I really think that the atmosphere and synths are what what create this whole feeling.
5. Space, Rituals And Magick gets down to business with some heavy metal riffing and more spacey vibes with trickling synth melodies and bubbling sound effects in the background. The song has pace and does not mess around getting locked into the riffs all while the bass and drums provide a solid backbone. The vocals have been spot on throughout the whole album just making everything feel together and wholesome. There are some unusual vocal moments which do not feel human but more like a robot which are ace. lines brimming with character and charm. Layered beneath, the synth beds add width and depth, amplifying the atmosphere. The space‑like vibe shines especially bright here, evoking the sensation of flying through an asteroid field. The outro ties everything together seamlessly, rounding off the track as another excellent addition to the release.
We reach the end of this epic journey with the Witches Circle. Now this track comes in at just over eight minutes making it the longest track on the record. And unlike the rest of the album a large part of this track is stripped back. The intro is very merry and glistens bright but that acts as a brief flash before what follows next. Acoustic guitars and warm vocal lines gracefully come in as well as very light tip taps on hand drums. These just help to keep the flow moving forward. The title of Witches Circles is sung at intervals while synth piano notes gradually weave in to the song. And over time ]the music builds, the bass getting a little more interesting, the drums dropping in to a slow and mellow 4/4 beat. Semi acoustic guitar riffing comes in and the synth notes play out in the background. Everything feels so chilled yet retro and nostalgic yet I have travelled back in time. Little guitar melodies sing out delightfully with almost whispering vocal lines joining for a stint. But as we approach the last two minutes the dazzling vibes of the intro section returns and even some ideas like you would hear at American football game flash by. The song closes with a few repeats of the title ending a great and adventurous album!
Conclusion
Overall, this album delivers a cohesive and engaging journey that blends raw, organic instrumentation with rich, space-inspired atmosphere. Each track stands out in its own way, whether through energetic riffs, mid-tempo grooves, or expansive, emotional builds, but they are all tied together by expressive vocals, unpolished warmth, and imaginative synth work. The band moves effortlessly between heavy metal power and cosmic ambience, keeping the album dynamic and never dull. By the time the final track closes, it is clear this release is both adventurous and confidently crafted, offering a refreshing and memorable experience from start to finish.
TheNwothm Score: 10/10
Links
Bandcamp: https://mausoleumgatemetal.bandcamp.com/album/space-rituals-and-magick
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MausoleumGate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mausoleumgate/
Label: https://cruzdelsurmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBDbBoZAJL4
Read More Reviews
#cruzDelSur #cruzDelSurMusic #heavyMetal #mausoleumGate #newAlbum #newWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #nwothm #ritualsAndMagick #space #spaceMetal #spaceRock #thenwothm #thenwothmCom
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29D) Vsevolod III “Big Nest” Part 4 (1194-1200)
Vsevolod “Big Nest” / Всеволод Большое Гнездо
To see a list of the characters and their inter-relations, please click here 1
Last time, we left Vsevolod firmly in charge in Vladimir but with a new (not that new) Grand Prince down south: Rurik Rostislavich, in for the third and by far the longest of his seven periods ruling Kiev. Despite a degree of distrust between them, Rurik and Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich had avoided armed conflict for Svyatoslav’s second reign in Kiev, allowing Rurik and his relatives to control much of the hinterland of Kiev while Svyatoslav kept the title of Grand Prince and the income from trade and customs duties. According to the chronicles, Svyatoslav tried to ensure a smooth hand-over by summoning Rurik to his deathbed and charging him to take care of his widow, children (although they were all adults) and Kiev itself.
Rurik becomes Grand Prince of Kiev, again.
Rurik returned to Kiev in July 1194 to the delight of the nobles and burgesses, particularly those who had traditionally favoured the descendants of Vsevolod Yaroslavich over those of his brother Svyatoslav. Metropolitan Nikifor greeted Rurik at the city gates and led the procession to St Sophia’s cathedral, where Rurik was enthroned. Unfortunately, not everyone was so happy. Yaroslav Vsevolodovich in Chernigov had hoped to inherit Kiev from his brother, while Vsevolod Big Nest was also a little unsettled by Rurik’s return to the old capital. While Rurik and Svyatoslav divided the area around Kiev between them, neither of them could afford to take action that would disturb the peace, but with all the territory under Rurik’s domination, he might be able to act more independently and, potentially, in a manner that might inconvenience Vsevolod himself.
At this time Vsevolod took some practical action to defend his positions, both in his homeland and near Kiev. In 1194, after having rebuilt both Vladimir and Suzdal’, he ordered the reconstruction of the fortifications of Pereyaslavl’-Zalessky. He also sent his servant south to Gorodets to organise the rebuilding of the fortress which had been founded by his grandfather Vladimir Monomakh a century before and which had belonged to his father. In parallel to the rising political temperature in the rest of the country, the north-west was hit with a drought which led to a rash of fires in Ladoga, Russa and Gorodische, but Novgorod was worst hit, with so many fires starting that many inhabitants thought it safer to live out in the fields rather than risk burning to death in their houses. The next year saw the Archbishop of Novgorod Martiriy take the lead in reconstruction work after the fires, laying the foundations of two churches, one above the city gate, which one must presume required repair after the fires of 1194.
Building work in Novgorod
In 1195, Rurik invited his brother David from Smolensk, his son Rostislav and his son-in-law Roman Mstislavich of Galich to share out the territories that had recently fallen into his hands. The princes held a series of feasts in Vyshgorod, Belgorod and Kiev itself where they fed and watered each other, the nobles and churchmen of the various cities as well as arranging feasts for the common people. Along with the wining and dining, in order to boost his position against his neighbour and rival Yaroslav of Chernigov, Rurik appointed his son-in-law Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-Volynsky to take over a string of cities to the south-east of Kiev: Korsun’, Boguslav and Torchesk along the river Ros’ as well as Kanev and Trepol’ along the Dnieper. However, when Vsevolod heard of this, he sent a messenger to Rurik demanding control over that territory for himself. After all, Rurik had recognised Vsevolod as his senior and Vsevolod already had a number of sons who would require places to rule.
The noblemen in Kiev advised Rurik that although it was far from ideal, he could give Vsevolod other territories near Kiev. Unfortunately, Vsevolod was insistent on getting the lands that had gone to Roman Mstislavich. Although these fortresses would give their holder a strong military presence near Kiev, another reason might have been more personal: there had been a long-standing rivalry between Vsevolod and Roman’s families going back to Vsevolod’s father Yury’s struggles against Roman’s father and grandfather. Roman had also recently been a threat to his neighbour (and Vsevolod’s nephew) Vladimir Yaroslavich in Galich. In the end, Rurik accepted that Vsevolod was a more valuable ally than Roman and agreed to deprive Roman and hand the cities to Vsevolod. As with the case of Pereyaslavl’, which Vsevolod inherited in 1187 then immediately gave to his nephew Yaroslav Mstislavich, Vsevolod chose to stay in Vladimir and hand these southern territories to someone he felt he could rely on, but also someone to whom Rurik could not object: Vsevolod’s son-in-law and Rurik’s oldest son Rostislav.
Dear Roman, Do you remember those territories I said you could have? I’m afraid there’s been a change of plan. Hope that’s OK. All the best, Rurik.
Although Rurik could hardly complain at the honour shown to his first-born, Roman Mstislavich was far from happy at seeing himself stripped of some very strategic fortresses close to Kiev. Up until this point, Roman had been married to Rurik’s daughter Predslava. Roman was furious with his father-in-law for bowing to Vsevolod’s pressure and suspected him of acting in concert with Vsevolod to humiliate him. He divorced Predslava and sent her back to Kiev. Roman started openly supporting Yaroslav Vsevolodovich’s claim to Kiev, but also sought allies in Poland, backing the sons of Casimir against their uncle Mieszko who was plotting to take Krakow from them, a goal which had come into closer reach after Casimir died in May.
If Roman had hoped for Polish support in his rivalry with Vsevolod, he was to be disappointed. In 1195, the conflict in Poland erupted into open war between young Leszek the White, now High Duke of Poland and his uncle Mieszko the Old. Leszek had inherited Krakow but both Mieszko and his son Boleslaw were not happy to see a ten year old child occupy a throne they thought should be theirs. Luckily for Leszek and his brother Konrad, the boys had the support of the nobility of Krakow and the church. They called on Roman’s help and he and his army went into Poland on the understanding that the favour would soon be returned. Mieszko tried to arrange a deal with Roman, sending heralds to talk peace, but despite the advice of his own followers, Roman was insistent on fighting. Things came a head at the battle of the river Mozgawa on 13th September 1195. The battle proved costly to both sides: Mieszko lost his son Boleslaw and was injured himself, but Roman too was badly wounded, returning to Vladimir-Volynsky with a severely battered army and in need of rest and recuperation. Given his weakened position, both personally and militarily, Roman sought to mend fences with Rurik and accepted the transfer of the fortress Polonny from Kiev to his own territory, as well as getting some landed estates near Korsun’.
“and his (Roman’s) warband took him from there and carried him to Vladimir(-Volynsky)”
In late 1195, an attempt was made to bring a little unity to the political sphere through a dynastic marriage. The Prince of Pskov, Mstislav Romanovich, Rurik’s uncle and Yaroslav Vsevolodovich’s nephew, sent his ten-year-old daughter Maria to Vladimir marry Vsevolod Big Nest’s son nine-year-old son Konstantin on 15th October. Despite the links to Yaroslav’s kin, this was more to cement the alliance between the houses of Smolensk and Vladimir – (Yaroslav was not invited, although the Princes of Ryazan’ and Murom were) and shortly after, Vsevolod called upon Yaroslav Vladimirovich to get the armies of Novgorod to prepare for a fight against Chernigov.
Vsevolod Big Nest, David of Smolensk, the princes of Ryazan’ and Rurik of Kiev sent a joint message to Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and his relatives that they should respect the settlement at Lyubech in 1097 by which their forefather’s descendants were essentially ruled out of the succession for Kiev, as Svyatoslav Yaroslavich had not ruled Kiev legitimately himself. Given that a number of princes from that branch of the family (Vsevolod II, Igor’ II Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich – Yaroslav’s father, uncle and brother) had already ruled Kiev since then, Yaroslav was not willing to accept that. He replied to Vsevolod saying that he and his kinsmen were willing to look after Kiev for Vsevolod or Rurik, but that if the descendants of Vladimir Monomakh wanted to deny Kiev to the descendants of Svyatoslav Yaroslavich forever, it should remembered that his family were not Hungarians or Poles, but descendants of a common forefather. Vsevolod and Rurik could rule as long as they lived, but afterwards, may Kiev go to the most worthy, according to the will of God.
A round of diplomacy as the appetiser for a main course of violence.
Vsevolod and Rurik took steps to back up their words with action; aside from the army of Novgorod which had gathered at Novy Torg and their own men, Rurik had recruited a force of Polovtsy, who were waiting in the steppes to fall on Chernigov, Novgorod-Seversky and Kursk. However, although Vsevolod had agreed to meet with Rurik’s army outside Chernigov at the end of 1195, Vsevolod had been negotiating with Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, who had, in the face of the threat of war, suddenly become far more pliable. Yaroslav’s promises of peace were believed and and Vsevolod sent his own warband and the men of Novgorod home. Rurik withdrew and paid off his Polovtsian allies and agreed a deal with Yaroslav Vsevolodovich in early 1196. As part of this, he agreed to lobby his brother David of Smolensk to arrange the transfer of Vitebsk from David’s son-in-law Vasil’ko Bryachislavich to Yaroslav’s control.
Yaroslav was keen to take control of Vitebsk straight away and sent his nephew Oleg Svyatoslavich, descendant of a previous prince of Vitebsk through his mother, with an army through the territory of Smolensk in the early spring of 1196 to stake his claim. Rurik had withdrawn to Ovruch for the winter and was unable to prevent Oleg Svyatoslavich from entering Smolensk’s terrorities and pillaging them. David raised an army and called upon help from Mstislav Romanovich of Pskov, Gleb Vladimirovich of Ryazan’ and Rostislav Vladimirovich, brother of the Prince of Novgorod. Unfortunately, David found himself fighting a war on two fronts as Vladimir, Prince of Polotsk and Boris of Drutsk turned against him and joined forces with Oleg Svyatoslavich.
Oleg’s men had been careful to maintain good order, even after a heavy snowfall. When David’s men discovered their army on 12th March 1196, Mstislav Romanovich led a sudden cavalry charge in an attempt to throw his enemy into disarray. The attack took a heavy toll on Oleg’s forces, with his standards being abandoned and his eldest son David Olegovich losing his life. However, when David Rostislavich’s commander sent his infantry to deal with the men from Polotsk, the men from Smolensk lost their nerve and fled. The Polotskian contingent had better discipline and, instead of chasing after the fleeing infantry, they rode to the aid of Oleg, hitting Mstislav’s regiment in the rear. At the time, Mstislav was out in front, chasing Oleg’s men and did not realise what was happening behind him. By the time Mstislav returned to whom he thought were his infantry, the survivors had already fled the field, and Mstislav was captured by the men of Polotsk. When Rostislav Vladimirovich, Gleb Vladimirovich and David’s commanders returned from the chase, they realised what had happened and rapidly withdrew to Smolensk to avoid the trap that Mstislav Romanovich had fallen into. When Oleg Svyatoslavich realised they had captured Rurik Rostislavich’s nephew Mstislav, he was delighted and wrote back to his uncle with the good news.
Dear Vsevolod, I’m afraid Yaroslav attacked Smolensk and captured my nephew Mstislav. Can you please help. All the best, Rurik.
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich thought things were turning his way on multiple fronts. After Vsevolod had sent the men Yaroslav Vladimirovich had gathered home to Novgorod at the end of 1195, political forces opposed to Yaroslav’s rule tried to get him removed. They sent the Posadnik Miroshka and other dignitories to Vladimir to request that Vsevolod send one of his sons (although his eldest, Konstantin, was only ten at the time). Vsevolod insisted his guests stay indefinitely and refused to send a replacement for Yaroslav. However, once Oleg Svyatoslavich had defeated David of Smolensk and his allies, the opposition in Novgorod used the fact that Vsevolod was still holding their Posadnik hostage to drive out Yaroslav Vladimirovich in the autumn of 1196 and to request a new prince from Yaroslav Vsevolodovich in Chernigov. Yaroslav sent his second son Yaropolk, who, because of the conflict with Smolensk, took an indirect route and only arrived in March 1197.
Unfortunately for Yaropolk Yaroslavich, the previous incumbent had not left the territory of Novgorod and had taken up residence in Novy Torg. Yaroslav clearly still had support among the wider political class in Novgorod’s territories and started collecting tribute from most of its lands, from the Urals almost up to the city itself. After six months of this, Yaroslav’s opponents lost the argument in the city, Yaropolk was sent packing and the elites of Novgorod asked Vsevolod to send Yaroslav to them again. Yaroslav had been summoned from Novy Torg to Vladimir for consultations with Vsevolod and the chief men of Novgorod met him there, promising to be loyal if only he would return to rule them. Both Vsevolod and Yaroslav were delighted with how things turned out and Vsevolod sent Yaroslav on his way, accompanied by Posadnik Miroshko and the remaining involuntary guests. According to the Novgorod Chronicle, Yaroslav and the notables arrived just after Epiphany in what we would consider 1198 and “all in Novgorod, from small to great, were glad.”
Yaroslav returns to Novgorod and everyone is happy.
Moving back to 1196, after the defeat of David and his allies in March, Rurik raised an army to attack Chernigov and release his nephew Mstislav. His plan was spoiled by Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-Volynsky, who was still openly supporting Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and who could have attacked Kiev from the south-west while Rurik was out east invading Chernigov. Instead of moving against Yaroslav, Rurik decided to first deal with Roman Mstislavich and prepared to move on Vladimir-Volynsky. Before he could do so, however, Vsevolod Big Nest and David Rostislavich of Smolensk, along with the princes of Ryazan’ and Murom started their own offensive against Chernigov, Kursk and Novgorod-Seversky.
Yaroslav sent his nephews Oleg and Gleb Svyatoslavich to guard the western approaches against Rurik, while withdrawing into the forest zone to the south east. This area – the frontier zone against the steppes – was defended by long rows of fallen trees, built up into an almost impassable barrier for cavalry to slow up the Polovtsy, but would also serve as a good place to avoid Vsevolod and his allies. Although there had been an agreement not to come to a deal with Yaroslav without Rurik, there was some kind of back-channel between Vsevolod on one side and Yaroslav on the other, even while Vsevolod’s allies ravaged the northern areas of Chernigov and Novgorod-Seversky. Yaroslav essentially surrendered by September, agreeing to release Mstislav Romanovich without a ransom being paid and promising not to attempt any more assaults on Kiev or Smolensk while under the current management.
Vsevolod puts his point across to Yaroslav Vsevolodovich through the medium of arson.
In the south-west, Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-Volynsky, having recovered from his injuries at the hands of Mieszko the Old, was about to call more misfortune upon his head by attacking territories in the principality of Kiev. When Rurik heard of Vsevolod and David’s invasion of Chernigov, his hands were untied and he sent Mstislav Mstislavich to Galich where he joined forces with Vladimir Yaroslavich in an attack on Roman’s fortress at Peremil’ while at the same time, Rostislav Rurikovich and the Black Hats attacked Kamenets. These raids did not seriously affect Roman’s control over his principality, but with Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and Igor’ Svyatoslavich making peace with Roman’s enemies, there seemed little point in continuing the fight. Roman did however finalise his divorce with Predslava, Rurik’s daughter.
An uneasy peace settled over Russia and Vsevolod returned to Vladimir on October 6th to celebrate. He had done quite well, avoiding damage to his own principality, seeing off a threat from Yaroslav while leaving him in power in Chernigov to balance the power of the descendants of Rostislav Mstislavich in Smolensk and Kiev. Yaroslav’s position had been weakened, not only by Vsevolod’s attack, but also by the death of Vsevolod “Wild Bull” Svyatoslavich, Prince of Kursk, at some point in 1196 – he was either too ill or already too dead to take part in any of the military action that year. Vsevolod was known as a courageous warrior and his death at the age of forty-three may have been somewhat unexpected.
Vsevolod and Yaroslav make peace.
Things went even better for Vsevolod Big Nest in 1197. David Rostislavich was a little disappointed at the outcome of the war of 1196 and had been preparing another campaign against Yaroslav, when he fell ill. At the age of fifty-seven, he realised this was probably the end, moved from Smolensk to the monastery where St. Gleb was killed and took monastic vows, leaving his principality to his nephew Mstislav Romanovich. David passed away on 23rd April, leaving a reputation as a pious ruler but a strict enforcer of the law upon rebels. The new prince Mstislav had family ties to both Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, being his cousin and to Vsevolod “Big Nest” as his daughter Maria had married Vsevolod’s son Konstantin in 1195 and was an ally of the Grand Prince of Vladimir. Aside from Yaropolk Yaroslavich’s short period in charge of Novgorod, followed by Yaroslav Vladimirovich’s triumphant return six months later and the birth of Vsevolod’s youngest son, Ivan, 1197 was otherwise a fairly quiet year.
1198 saw the passing of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich of Chernigov, which, like that of his brother Svyatoslav and, more recently, of David of Smolensk, was preceeded by his taking monastic vows. Chernigov was inherited by his cousin Igor’ Svyatoslavich, although who succeeded Igor’ as prince of Novgorod-Seversky is not clear – it could have been his son Vladimir, who died shortly after, or possibly Oleg Svyatoslavich, Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich’s son. Records in Novgorod-Seversky did not survive well, so there is considerable debate as to the later succession to Novgorod-Seversky for several decades.
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich passes away.
With Yaroslav Vsevolodovich ailing or having passed away, Vsevolod “Big Nest” took the opportunity to introduce his son thirteen year old son Konstantin to the art of military campaigning when they set out in spring to clear out the winter camping areas of the Polovtsy along the Don. However, the Polovtsy had seen the size of Vsevolod’s army and made themselves scarce, fleeing to the seaside. The two princes returned to Vladimir on 6th June having set light to the nomads’ campsites without any actual fighting. They were just in time to witness another fire, as, once again, a major conflagration hit Vladimir on 25th June, destroying a large section of the city.
Tragedy hit Yaroslav Vladimirovich in Novgorod at this time. Although Novgorod was seeing a rash of new churches and monasteries being built, suggesting prosperity for the trading elites, this did not stave off the risk of illness. Yaroslav’s elder, seven-year-old son Izyaslav had been placed in nominal charge of Luki on the southern frontiers once Yaroslav had returned to power in 1197, to help guard Novgorod from the threat of Chernigov-aligned Polotsk. On 20th June 1198, Izyaslav’s younger brother Rostislav died in Novgorod, followed two weeks later by Izyaslav himself. Both boys were buried in the Yuriev Monastery to the south of Novgorod. A few months later, Luki was raided by the army of Polotsk in alliance with the Lithuanians, but the townspeople had been warned and were able to escape, although the city was burned. Yaroslav gathered an army from across Novgorod’s huge territory and launched a counter-attack, but when the two sides met, the men of Polotsk, seemingly without their erstwhile allies, chose to make peace and they separated without bloodshed.
Yaroslav Vladimirovich buries his sons.
Despite having regained power in Novgorod due to the support of Vsevolod Big Nest, Yaroslav was not exactly popular. He had recently disappointed his army a second time by calling off a campaign. His men were no doubt hoping to get rich by relieving their defeated enemies of their war gear and other valuables and, at this point, Yaroslav seems to have exhausted the goodwill of his subjects. Archbishop Martiriy and various notables of Novgorod travelled to Vladimir in the summer of 1199 to ask Vsevolod to send one of his sons to reign over them. Sadly, Archbishop Martiriy passed away on the journey but the others made it to Vladimir to make the request: “Lord Grand Prince! Our province is your ancestral property: we pray that you grant us a grandson of Dolgoruky, a great-grandson of Monomakh!” Vsevolod consulted his warband before making what must have been a tricky decision. Vsevolod’s sons were all fairly young at that point, but the choice of Svyatoslav must have seemed a bit odd, both to the elites of Novgorod and to the three-year-old himself. However, the logic seems solid. His appointment underlined both the prestige of Vladimir and of Vsevolod as its ruler, while also allowing the elites of Novgorod to run their city as they wished without an adult like Yaroslav hanging around who might make decisions that annoyed them.
Like Vladimir, Novgorod continued to see its trading wealth expressed in a number of building projects, both of churches and defences – Rusa to the south of Novgorod had its defences built up, not a moment too soon as early 1200 saw an attack by the Lithuanians up the river Lovot’ towards Rusa and Novgorod. The defenders beat the invaders off, freeing the prisoners and regaining the looted valuables, but most of the Lithuanians were able to escape. Later that year the men of Novgorod struck back with a raid against Latgale, where they killed their opponents and took their wives and children back to Luki as prisoners.
Beating off the Lithuanian attack
Around the same time, late 1199 or early 1200, trouble in the south-west also flared up. Vladimir Yaroslavich died in Galich, without an obvious heir near at hand. His neighbour and rival for the principality, Roman Mstislavich, saw his chance. With the help of the young Polish princes he had aided back in 1195, he besieged a leaderless Galich and forced the inhabitants to accept him as ruler. At least some of the nobles had been trying to get one of Igor’ Svyatoslavich of Chernigov’s sons to come and rule, as they were nephews of Vladimir through their mother. Others had visited the Polish camp, begging Duke Leszek the White to take over Galich himself, rather than allow Roman to rule but these attempts to avoid Roman’s dominance over their region ended badly for the nobles.
To remove any open opposition to his rule, he publicly executed a number of the old elite in a particularly cruel manner. including burying them alive, quartering them and even inventing his own methods of torture, scaring many other noblemen to seek safety elsewhere. This gave Roman the opportunity to confiscate their property and distribute it to his own supporters. Having already split up with his first wife, Roman married again. The chronicles did not mention his wife’s name, but many historians believe she could have been Euphrosyne, daughter of the, at the time imprisoned, Roman Emperor Isaac II Angelos.
Isaac II Angelos, Emperor and Autocrator of the Romans. Unknown Byzantine scribes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Late 1199 also saw the death of Yaroslav Mstislavich, nephew of Vsevolod “Big Nest” and Prince of Pereyaslavl’ after twelve years in charge. Yaroslav had no surviving children and no brothers, so once again Vsevolod got to choose the next ruler. This time, he chose his eldest son, only nine or ten at the time, like his predecessor in the post, also called Yaroslav. The choice, like that of Svyatoslav for Novgorod, seems strange, especially bearing in mind that Vsevolod’s oldest son Konstantin would have been fourteen at the time, so just about ready to rule as an adult, and who did not have his own territory yet. However, Konstantin wanted to concentrate on his studies in Vladimir and the next son, Yury, was not well, so the burden fell on Yaroslav. Yaroslav was accompanied to Pereyaslavl’ by his father, his brothers Konstantin and Yury arriving in August 1200 for Yaroslav to take up his post. After the enthroment, Vsevolod headed back north, leaving Yaroslav behind with a large military force under the command of two of his most experienced commanders.
In Galich, Roman Mstislavich’s cruelty had brought him control of a large rich territory as well as a notoriety among other Russian princes. By divorcing Rurik’s daughter, he had attracted the particular ire of the Grand Prince of Kiev. Rurik had been arranging a campaign to put Roman back in his place with Igor’ Svyatoslavich of Chernigov, who was brother-in-law of the previous prince of Galich – Vladimir Yaroslavich. However, Roman got wind of the plan and struck first. In the autumn of 1200 he mobilised his forces, arriving near Kiev when Igor’ Svyatoslavich was still on the far side of the Dnieper. The Black Hats and Torks serving Rurik saw which way the wind was blowing, swapped sides and Rurik was betrayed again by supporters of Roman who opened the gates of Kiev and many other fortresses in the area. Rurik and his allies were isolated in the inner fortress of Kiev and agreed to abandon the city. Rurik accepted Roman’s peace terms and withdrew to his previous seat at Ovruch.
Ingvar’, would you like to rule Kiev for me, please?
However, Roman Mstislavich, like Andrey Bogolyubsky in his day, was not interested in ruling Kiev himself. The northern chronicles state that his cousin, Ingvar’2 Yaroslavich of Lutsk was set in place by both Roman and Vsevolod Big Nest, while southern sources do not mention Vsevolod at all. It is possible that Vsevolod was not asked, but did not particularly object to Ingvar’s rule, as it would keep the city out of the direct control of Roman and prevent any potential rival to Vsevolod from gaining too much power. Whether or not Vsevolod gave his blessing, that winter, Roman felt secure enough in his extended area of influence to make a move against the Polovtsy on behalf of his new wife’s uncle, the Roman Emperor Alexios III Angelos. The Polovtsy had been helping the Bulgars raid the area around Constantinople and as they frequently did, the Romans engaged a more distant power, in this case – Galich, to strike a closer opponent from the rear. Roman’s campaign was hugely successful, devastating the Polovtsian camps and liberating very many enslaved Russian prisoners, while also breaking the will of the enemies of the Roman Empire.
We shall see how Vsevolod deals with this rival in the next episode.
- Descendants of Yury Dolgoruky, Vladimir Monomakh and Vsevolod I:
Vsevolod “Big Nest” Yuryevich, Grand Prince of Kiev (1173), Grand Prince of Vladimir (1176-1212), son of Yury Dolgoruky, husband of Maria Shvarnovna, brother of Andrey Bogolyubsky, cousin of Izyaslav II and Rostislav Mstislavich, brother-in-law of Mstislav Svyatoslavich.
Maria Shvarnovna, wife of Vsevolod “Big Nest”, mother of all of his many children, sister of Marfa Shvarnovna.
Verkhuslava Vsevolodovna, daughter of Vsevolod “Big Nest”, wife of Rostislav Rurikovich.
Konstantin Vsevolodovich, eldest son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”.
Gleb Vsevolodovich, short-lived third son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”.
Yury Vsevolodovich, fourth son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”.
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, Prince of Pereyaslavl’ (1200-06)…fifth son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”, father of Alexander Nevsky and ancestor of the subsequent rulers of Russia until 1598.
Vladimir Vsevolodovich, sixth son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”
Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, Prince of Novgorod (1200-05)…, seventh son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”
Ivan Vsevolodovich, eighth son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”.
Yaroslav Mstislavich, Prince of Novgorod (1176), Prince of Pereyaslavl’ Zalessky (1178-87), Prince of Pereyaslavl’ (1187-99), nephew of Vsevolod “Big Nest”, grandson of Yury Dolgoruky.
Descendants of Mstislav I, Vladimir Monomakh and Vsevolod I
Mstislav Vladimirovich, Prince of Dorogobuzh (1171-73), Prince of Trepol’ (1173-83), Prince of Kanev (1194-1203), son of Vladimir Mstislavich, brother of Yaroslav and Rostislav Vladimirovich.
Yaroslav Vladimirovich, Prince of Novgorod (1182-84, 1187-96)… son of Vladimir Mstislavich, brother of Mstislav and Rostislav Vladimirovich.
Izyaslav Yaroslavich, Prince of Luki (1197-8), son of Yaroslav Vladimirovich, brother of Rostislav.
Rostislav Yaroslavich, son of Yaroslav Vladimirovich, brother of Izyaslav.
Rostislav Vladimirovich, son of Vladimir Mstislavich, brother of Mstislav and Yaroslav Vladimirovich.
Roman Mstislavich, Prince of Novgorod (1168-70), Prince of Vladimir-Volynsky (1170-88, 1188-1205), Prince of Galich (1188, 1199-1205)…, son of Mstislav Izyaslavich, brother of Vsevolod Mstislavich.
Vsevolod Mstislavich, Prince of Belz (1170-88, 1188-95), Prince of Vladimir-Volynsky (1188).
Ingvar’ Yaroslavich, Prince of Luchesk (1180-1220), Grand Prince of Kiev (1200-02)…, son of Yaroslav Izyaslavich, grandson of Izyaslav Mstislavich.
Descendants of Rostislav Mstislavich, Mstislav I etc.
Rurik Rostislavich, Prince of Vruchy (1168-73, 1173-1208), Prince of Novgorod (1170-71), Grand Prince of Kiev (1173, 1180-81, 1194-1201..) third son of Rostislav Mstislavich, cousin of Andrey Bogolyubsky.
Rostislav Rurikovich, Prince of Torchesk (before 1190-1205)…, son of Rurik Rostislavich, brother of Predslava.
Predslava Rurikovna, daughter of Rurik Rostislavich, sister of Rostislav, wife of Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-Volynsky and Galich.
David Rostislavich, viceroy of Novy Torg (1157-60), Prince of Vitebsk (1165-6), Prince of Vyshgorod (1167-80), Prince of Smolensk (1180-97), fourth son of Rostislav Mstislavich, cousin of Andrey Bogolyubsky
Vladimir Davidovich, Prince of Vyshgorod (1187-119?), Prince of Vyshgorod, son of David Rostislavich.
Mstislav Romanovich, Prince of Pskov (1179-?), son of Roman Rostislavich, nephew of Rurik and David Rostislavich.
Mstislav Mstislavich “the Successful”, Prince of Trepol’ (1193-1203)…, son of Mstislav Rostislavich, grandson of Rostislav Mstislavich, nephew of David, Roman and Rurik Rostislavich.
Descendants of Vsevolod II and Svyatoslav II,
Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, Prince of Novgorod (1140), Prince of Turov (1142, 1154-55), Prince of Vladimir-Volynsky (1142-46), Prince of Novgorod-Seversky (1157-64) Prince of Chernigov (1164-80), Grand Prince of Kiev (1174, 1176-80, 1181-94), son of Vsevolod II, nephew of Igor’ II, father of Vladimir, Oleg, Vsevolod, Gleb and Mstislav, cousin of Izyaslav Mstislavich, great-grandson of Svyatoslav II.
Oleg Svyatoslavich, son of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, brother of Vladimir, Gleb, Vsevolod and Mstislav, father of David Olegovich.
David Olegovich, son of Oleg Svyatoslavich.
Gleb Svyatoslavich, Prince of Kolomna (1179), Prince of Kanev (1182-90)… son of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, brother of Vladimir, Oleg, Vsevolod and Mstislav, grandson of Vsevolod II
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, Prince of Starodub (1164-1180), Prince of Chernigov (1180-99), son of Vsevolod II, brother of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich.
Yaropolk Yaroslavich, Prince of Novgorod (1197), son of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich.
Igor’ Svyatoslavich, Prince of Novgorod-Seversky (1180-98), Prince of Chernigov (1198-1201), son of Svyatoslav Ol’govich, nephew of Vsevolod II and Igor’ II, cousin of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, brother of Oleg and Vsevolod “Wild Bull”, great-grandson of Svyatoslav II
Vladimir Igorevich, Prince of Putivl’ (1185-96), maybe Prince of Novgorod-Seversky (1198-121?), son of Igor’ Svyatoslavich.
Vsevolod “Wild Bull” Svyatoslavich, Prince of Trubetsk and Kursk (1180-96), son of Svyatoslav Ol’govich, nephew of Vsevolod II and Igor’ II, cousin of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, brother of Oleg and Igor’, great-grandson of Svyatoslav II
Gleb Vladimirovich, Prince of a section of Ryazan’ principality (?-1212), great-great-great-grandson of Svyatoslav II.
Descendants of Vseslav the Sorceror
Vladimir Volodarevich?, Prince of Polotsk (118?-1216), possibly son of Volodar’ Glebovich, great-grandson of Vseslav the Sorceror.
Boris Rogvolodovich, Prince of Drutsk (118?-later than 1196), great-grandson of Vseslav the Sorceror.
Vasil’ko Bryachislavich, Prince of Vitebsk (1186-later than 1209), great-great-grandson of Vseslav the Sorcer
Descendants of Yaroslav the Wise
Yaroslav “Eight-Minds” Vladimirovich, Prince of Galich (1153-87), son of Vladimir Volodarevich, great-great-great-grandson of Yaroslav the Wise, father of Vladimir and Oleg, brother-in-law of Vsevolod “Big Nest”, father-in-law of Igor’ Svyatoslavich.
Vladimir Yaroslavich, Prince of Galich (1187-88, 1189-99), son of Yaroslav “Eight Minds”, half-brother of Oleg. ↩︎ - Ingvar’ was the original Norse version of the name Russified as Igor’. It is interesting to see a return to Norse names like Rurik. ↩︎
- Descendants of Yury Dolgoruky, Vladimir Monomakh and Vsevolod I:
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29D) Vsevolod III “Big Nest” Part 4 (1194-1200)
Vsevolod “Big Nest” / Всеволод Большое Гнездо
To see a list of the characters and their inter-relations, please click here 1
Last time, we left Vsevolod firmly in charge in Vladimir but with a new (not that new) Grand Prince down south: Rurik Rostislavich, in for the third and by far the longest of his seven periods ruling Kiev. Despite a degree of distrust between them, Rurik and Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich had avoided armed conflict for Svyatoslav’s second reign in Kiev, allowing Rurik and his relatives to control much of the hinterland of Kiev while Svyatoslav kept the title of Grand Prince and the income from trade and customs duties. According to the chronicles, Svyatoslav tried to ensure a smooth hand-over by summoning Rurik to his deathbed and charging him to take care of his widow, children (although they were all adults) and Kiev itself.
Rurik becomes Grand Prince of Kiev, again.
Rurik returned to Kiev in July 1194 to the delight of the nobles and burgesses, particularly those who had traditionally favoured the descendants of Vsevolod Yaroslavich over those of his brother Svyatoslav. Metropolitan Nikifor greeted Rurik at the city gates and led the procession to St Sophia’s cathedral, where Rurik was enthroned. Unfortunately, not everyone was so happy. Yaroslav Vsevolodovich in Chernigov had hoped to inherit Kiev from his brother, while Vsevolod Big Nest was also a little unsettled by Rurik’s return to the old capital. While Rurik and Svyatoslav divided the area around Kiev between them, neither of them could afford to take action that would disturb the peace, but with all the territory under Rurik’s domination, he might be able to act more independently and, potentially, in a manner that might inconvenience Vsevolod himself.
At this time Vsevolod took some practical action to defend his positions, both in his homeland and near Kiev. In 1194, after having rebuilt both Vladimir and Suzdal’, he ordered the reconstruction of the fortifications of Pereyaslavl’-Zalessky. He also sent his servant south to Gorodets to organise the rebuilding of the fortress which had been founded by his grandfather Vladimir Monomakh a century before and which had belonged to his father. In parallel to the rising political temperature in the rest of the country, the north-west was hit with a drought which led to a rash of fires in Ladoga, Russa and Gorodische, but Novgorod was worst hit, with so many fires starting that many inhabitants thought it safer to live out in the fields rather than risk burning to death in their houses. The next year saw the Archbishop of Novgorod Martiriy take the lead in reconstruction work after the fires, laying the foundations of two churches, one above the city gate, which one must presume required repair after the fires of 1194.
Building work in Novgorod
In 1195, Rurik invited his brother David from Smolensk, his son Rostislav and his son-in-law Roman Mstislavich of Galich to share out the territories that had recently fallen into his hands. The princes held a series of feasts in Vyshgorod, Belgorod and Kiev itself where they fed and watered each other, the nobles and churchmen of the various cities as well as arranging feasts for the common people. Along with the wining and dining, in order to boost his position against his neighbour and rival Yaroslav of Chernigov, Rurik appointed his son-in-law Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-Volynsky to take over a string of cities to the south-east of Kiev: Korsun’, Boguslav and Torchesk along the river Ros’ as well as Kanev and Trepol’ along the Dnieper. However, when Vsevolod heard of this, he sent a messenger to Rurik demanding control over that territory for himself. After all, Rurik had recognised Vsevolod as his senior and Vsevolod already had a number of sons who would require places to rule.
The noblemen in Kiev advised Rurik that although it was far from ideal, he could give Vsevolod other territories near Kiev. Unfortunately, Vsevolod was insistent on getting the lands that had gone to Roman Mstislavich. Although these fortresses would give their holder a strong military presence near Kiev, another reason might have been more personal: there had been a long-standing rivalry between Vsevolod and Roman’s families going back to Vsevolod’s father Yury’s struggles against Roman’s father and grandfather. Roman had also recently been a threat to his neighbour (and Vsevolod’s nephew) Vladimir Yaroslavich in Galich. In the end, Rurik accepted that Vsevolod was a more valuable ally than Roman and agreed to deprive Roman and hand the cities to Vsevolod. As with the case of Pereyaslavl’, which Vsevolod inherited in 1187 then immediately gave to his nephew Yaroslav Mstislavich, Vsevolod chose to stay in Vladimir and hand these southern territories to someone he felt he could rely on, but also someone to whom Rurik could not object: Vsevolod’s son-in-law and Rurik’s oldest son Rostislav.
Dear Roman, Do you remember those territories I said you could have? I’m afraid there’s been a change of plan. Hope that’s OK. All the best, Rurik.
Although Rurik could hardly complain at the honour shown to his first-born, Roman Mstislavich was far from happy at seeing himself stripped of some very strategic fortresses close to Kiev. Up until this point, Roman had been married to Rurik’s daughter Predslava. Roman was furious with his father-in-law for bowing to Vsevolod’s pressure and suspected him of acting in concert with Vsevolod to humiliate him. He divorced Predslava and sent her back to Kiev. Roman started openly supporting Yaroslav Vsevolodovich’s claim to Kiev, but also sought allies in Poland, backing the sons of Casimir against their uncle Mieszko who was plotting to take Krakow from them, a goal which had come into closer reach after Casimir died in May.
If Roman had hoped for Polish support in his rivalry with Vsevolod, he was to be disappointed. In 1195, the conflict in Poland erupted into open war between young Leszek the White, now High Duke of Poland and his uncle Mieszko the Old. Leszek had inherited Krakow but both Mieszko and his son Boleslaw were not happy to see a ten year old child occupy a throne they thought should be theirs. Luckily for Leszek and his brother Konrad, the boys had the support of the nobility of Krakow and the church. They called on Roman’s help and he and his army went into Poland on the understanding that the favour would soon be returned. Mieszko tried to arrange a deal with Roman, sending heralds to talk peace, but despite the advice of his own followers, Roman was insistent on fighting. Things came a head at the battle of the river Mozgawa on 13th September 1195. The battle proved costly to both sides: Mieszko lost his son Boleslaw and was injured himself, but Roman too was badly wounded, returning to Vladimir-Volynsky with a severely battered army and in need of rest and recuperation. Given his weakened position, both personally and militarily, Roman sought to mend fences with Rurik and accepted the transfer of the fortress Polonny from Kiev to his own territory, as well as getting some landed estates near Korsun’.
“and his (Roman’s) warband took him from there and carried him to Vladimir(-Volynsky)”
In late 1195, an attempt was made to bring a little unity to the political sphere through a dynastic marriage. The Prince of Pskov, Mstislav Romanovich, Rurik’s uncle and Yaroslav Vsevolodovich’s nephew, sent his ten-year-old daughter Maria to Vladimir marry Vsevolod Big Nest’s son nine-year-old son Konstantin on 15th October. Despite the links to Yaroslav’s kin, this was more to cement the alliance between the houses of Smolensk and Vladimir – (Yaroslav was not invited, although the Princes of Ryazan’ and Murom were) and shortly after, Vsevolod called upon Yaroslav Vladimirovich to get the armies of Novgorod to prepare for a fight against Chernigov.
Vsevolod Big Nest, David of Smolensk, the princes of Ryazan’ and Rurik of Kiev sent a joint message to Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and his relatives that they should respect the settlement at Lyubech in 1097 by which their forefather’s descendants were essentially ruled out of the succession for Kiev, as Svyatoslav Yaroslavich had not ruled Kiev legitimately himself. Given that a number of princes from that branch of the family (Vsevolod II, Igor’ II Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich – Yaroslav’s father, uncle and brother) had already ruled Kiev since then, Yaroslav was not willing to accept that. He replied to Vsevolod saying that he and his kinsmen were willing to look after Kiev for Vsevolod or Rurik, but that if the descendants of Vladimir Monomakh wanted to deny Kiev to the descendants of Svyatoslav Yaroslavich forever, it should remembered that his family were not Hungarians or Poles, but descendants of a common forefather. Vsevolod and Rurik could rule as long as they lived, but afterwards, may Kiev go to the most worthy, according to the will of God.
A round of diplomacy as the appetiser for a main course of violence.
Vsevolod and Rurik took steps to back up their words with action; aside from the army of Novgorod which had gathered at Novy Torg and their own men, Rurik had recruited a force of Polovtsy, who were waiting in the steppes to fall on Chernigov, Novgorod-Seversky and Kursk. However, although Vsevolod had agreed to meet with Rurik’s army outside Chernigov at the end of 1195, Vsevolod had been negotiating with Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, who had, in the face of the threat of war, suddenly become far more pliable. Yaroslav’s promises of peace were believed and and Vsevolod sent his own warband and the men of Novgorod home. Rurik withdrew and paid off his Polovtsian allies and agreed a deal with Yaroslav Vsevolodovich in early 1196. As part of this, he agreed to lobby his brother David of Smolensk to arrange the transfer of Vitebsk from David’s son-in-law Vasil’ko Bryachislavich to Yaroslav’s control.
Yaroslav was keen to take control of Vitebsk straight away and sent his nephew Oleg Svyatoslavich, descendant of a previous prince of Vitebsk through his mother, with an army through the territory of Smolensk in the early spring of 1196 to stake his claim. Rurik had withdrawn to Ovruch for the winter and was unable to prevent Oleg Svyatoslavich from entering Smolensk’s terrorities and pillaging them. David raised an army and called upon help from Mstislav Romanovich of Pskov, Gleb Vladimirovich of Ryazan’ and Rostislav Vladimirovich, brother of the Prince of Novgorod. Unfortunately, David found himself fighting a war on two fronts as Vladimir, Prince of Polotsk and Boris of Drutsk turned against him and joined forces with Oleg Svyatoslavich.
Oleg’s men had been careful to maintain good order, even after a heavy snowfall. When David’s men discovered their army on 12th March 1196, Mstislav Romanovich led a sudden cavalry charge in an attempt to throw his enemy into disarray. The attack took a heavy toll on Oleg’s forces, with his standards being abandoned and his eldest son David Olegovich losing his life. However, when David Rostislavich’s commander sent his infantry to deal with the men from Polotsk, the men from Smolensk lost their nerve and fled. The Polotskian contingent had better discipline and, instead of chasing after the fleeing infantry, they rode to the aid of Oleg, hitting Mstislav’s regiment in the rear. At the time, Mstislav was out in front, chasing Oleg’s men and did not realise what was happening behind him. By the time Mstislav returned to whom he thought were his infantry, the survivors had already fled the field, and Mstislav was captured by the men of Polotsk. When Rostislav Vladimirovich, Gleb Vladimirovich and David’s commanders returned from the chase, they realised what had happened and rapidly withdrew to Smolensk to avoid the trap that Mstislav Romanovich had fallen into. When Oleg Svyatoslavich realised they had captured Rurik Rostislavich’s nephew Mstislav, he was delighted and wrote back to his uncle with the good news.
Dear Vsevolod, I’m afraid Yaroslav attacked Smolensk and captured my nephew Mstislav. Can you please help. All the best, Rurik.
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich thought things were turning his way on multiple fronts. After Vsevolod had sent the men Yaroslav Vladimirovich had gathered home to Novgorod at the end of 1195, political forces opposed to Yaroslav’s rule tried to get him removed. They sent the Posadnik Miroshka and other dignitories to Vladimir to request that Vsevolod send one of his sons (although his eldest, Konstantin, was only ten at the time). Vsevolod insisted his guests stay indefinitely and refused to send a replacement for Yaroslav. However, once Oleg Svyatoslavich had defeated David of Smolensk and his allies, the opposition in Novgorod used the fact that Vsevolod was still holding their Posadnik hostage to drive out Yaroslav Vladimirovich in the autumn of 1196 and to request a new prince from Yaroslav Vsevolodovich in Chernigov. Yaroslav sent his second son Yaropolk, who, because of the conflict with Smolensk, took an indirect route and only arrived in March 1197.
Unfortunately for Yaropolk Yaroslavich, the previous incumbent had not left the territory of Novgorod and had taken up residence in Novy Torg. Yaroslav clearly still had support among the wider political class in Novgorod’s territories and started collecting tribute from most of its lands, from the Urals almost up to the city itself. After six months of this, Yaroslav’s opponents lost the argument in the city, Yaropolk was sent packing and the elites of Novgorod asked Vsevolod to send Yaroslav to them again. Yaroslav had been summoned from Novy Torg to Vladimir for consultations with Vsevolod and the chief men of Novgorod met him there, promising to be loyal if only he would return to rule them. Both Vsevolod and Yaroslav were delighted with how things turned out and Vsevolod sent Yaroslav on his way, accompanied by Posadnik Miroshko and the remaining involuntary guests. According to the Novgorod Chronicle, Yaroslav and the notables arrived just after Epiphany in what we would consider 1198 and “all in Novgorod, from small to great, were glad.”
Yaroslav returns to Novgorod and everyone is happy.
Moving back to 1196, after the defeat of David and his allies in March, Rurik raised an army to attack Chernigov and release his nephew Mstislav. His plan was spoiled by Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-Volynsky, who was still openly supporting Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and who could have attacked Kiev from the south-west while Rurik was out east invading Chernigov. Instead of moving against Yaroslav, Rurik decided to first deal with Roman Mstislavich and prepared to move on Vladimir-Volynsky. Before he could do so, however, Vsevolod Big Nest and David Rostislavich of Smolensk, along with the princes of Ryazan’ and Murom started their own offensive against Chernigov, Kursk and Novgorod-Seversky.
Yaroslav sent his nephews Oleg and Gleb Svyatoslavich to guard the western approaches against Rurik, while withdrawing into the forest zone to the south east. This area – the frontier zone against the steppes – was defended by long rows of fallen trees, built up into an almost impassable barrier for cavalry to slow up the Polovtsy, but would also serve as a good place to avoid Vsevolod and his allies. Although there had been an agreement not to come to a deal with Yaroslav without Rurik, there was some kind of back-channel between Vsevolod on one side and Yaroslav on the other, even while Vsevolod’s allies ravaged the northern areas of Chernigov and Novgorod-Seversky. Yaroslav essentially surrendered by September, agreeing to release Mstislav Romanovich without a ransom being paid and promising not to attempt any more assaults on Kiev or Smolensk while under the current management.
Vsevolod puts his point across to Yaroslav Vsevolodovich through the medium of arson.
In the south-west, Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-Volynsky, having recovered from his injuries at the hands of Mieszko the Old, was about to call more misfortune upon his head by attacking territories in the principality of Kiev. When Rurik heard of Vsevolod and David’s invasion of Chernigov, his hands were untied and he sent Mstislav Mstislavich to Galich where he joined forces with Vladimir Yaroslavich in an attack on Roman’s fortress at Peremil’ while at the same time, Rostislav Rurikovich and the Black Hats attacked Kamenets. These raids did not seriously affect Roman’s control over his principality, but with Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and Igor’ Svyatoslavich making peace with Roman’s enemies, there seemed little point in continuing the fight. Roman did however finalise his divorce with Predslava, Rurik’s daughter.
An uneasy peace settled over Russia and Vsevolod returned to Vladimir on October 6th to celebrate. He had done quite well, avoiding damage to his own principality, seeing off a threat from Yaroslav while leaving him in power in Chernigov to balance the power of the descendants of Rostislav Mstislavich in Smolensk and Kiev. Yaroslav’s position had been weakened, not only by Vsevolod’s attack, but also by the death of Vsevolod “Wild Bull” Svyatoslavich, Prince of Kursk, at some point in 1196 – he was either too ill or already too dead to take part in any of the military action that year. Vsevolod was known as a courageous warrior and his death at the age of forty-three may have been somewhat unexpected.
Vsevolod and Yaroslav make peace.
Things went even better for Vsevolod Big Nest in 1197. David Rostislavich was a little disappointed at the outcome of the war of 1196 and had been preparing another campaign against Yaroslav, when he fell ill. At the age of fifty-seven, he realised this was probably the end, moved from Smolensk to the monastery where St. Gleb was killed and took monastic vows, leaving his principality to his nephew Mstislav Romanovich. David passed away on 23rd April, leaving a reputation as a pious ruler but a strict enforcer of the law upon rebels. The new prince Mstislav had family ties to both Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, being his cousin and to Vsevolod “Big Nest” as his daughter Maria had married Vsevolod’s son Konstantin in 1195 and was an ally of the Grand Prince of Vladimir. Aside from Yaropolk Yaroslavich’s short period in charge of Novgorod, followed by Yaroslav Vladimirovich’s triumphant return six months later and the birth of Vsevolod’s youngest son, Ivan, 1197 was otherwise a fairly quiet year.
1198 saw the passing of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich of Chernigov, which, like that of his brother Svyatoslav and, more recently, of David of Smolensk, was preceeded by his taking monastic vows. Chernigov was inherited by his cousin Igor’ Svyatoslavich, although who succeeded Igor’ as prince of Novgorod-Seversky is not clear – it could have been his son Vladimir, who died shortly after, or possibly Oleg Svyatoslavich, Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich’s son. Records in Novgorod-Seversky did not survive well, so there is considerable debate as to the later succession to Novgorod-Seversky for several decades.
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich passes away.
With Yaroslav Vsevolodovich ailing or having passed away, Vsevolod “Big Nest” took the opportunity to introduce his son thirteen year old son Konstantin to the art of military campaigning when they set out in spring to clear out the winter camping areas of the Polovtsy along the Don. However, the Polovtsy had seen the size of Vsevolod’s army and made themselves scarce, fleeing to the seaside. The two princes returned to Vladimir on 6th June having set light to the nomads’ campsites without any actual fighting. They were just in time to witness another fire, as, once again, a major conflagration hit Vladimir on 25th June, destroying a large section of the city.
Tragedy hit Yaroslav Vladimirovich in Novgorod at this time. Although Novgorod was seeing a rash of new churches and monasteries being built, suggesting prosperity for the trading elites, this did not stave off the risk of illness. Yaroslav’s elder, seven-year-old son Izyaslav had been placed in nominal charge of Luki on the southern frontiers once Yaroslav had returned to power in 1197, to help guard Novgorod from the threat of Chernigov-aligned Polotsk. On 20th June 1198, Izyaslav’s younger brother Rostislav died in Novgorod, followed two weeks later by Izyaslav himself. Both boys were buried in the Yuriev Monastery to the south of Novgorod. A few months later, Luki was raided by the army of Polotsk in alliance with the Lithuanians, but the townspeople had been warned and were able to escape, although the city was burned. Yaroslav gathered an army from across Novgorod’s huge territory and launched a counter-attack, but when the two sides met, the men of Polotsk, seemingly without their erstwhile allies, chose to make peace and they separated without bloodshed.
Yaroslav Vladimirovich buries his sons.
Despite having regained power in Novgorod due to the support of Vsevolod Big Nest, Yaroslav was not exactly popular. He had recently disappointed his army a second time by calling off a campaign. His men were no doubt hoping to get rich by relieving their defeated enemies of their war gear and other valuables and, at this point, Yaroslav seems to have exhausted the goodwill of his subjects. Archbishop Martiriy and various notables of Novgorod travelled to Vladimir in the summer of 1199 to ask Vsevolod to send one of his sons to reign over them. Sadly, Archbishop Martiriy passed away on the journey but the others made it to Vladimir to make the request: “Lord Grand Prince! Our province is your ancestral property: we pray that you grant us a grandson of Dolgoruky, a great-grandson of Monomakh!” Vsevolod consulted his warband before making what must have been a tricky decision. Vsevolod’s sons were all fairly young at that point, but the choice of Svyatoslav must have seemed a bit odd, both to the elites of Novgorod and to the three-year-old himself. However, the logic seems solid. His appointment underlined both the prestige of Vladimir and of Vsevolod as its ruler, while also allowing the elites of Novgorod to run their city as they wished without an adult like Yaroslav hanging around who might make decisions that annoyed them.
Like Vladimir, Novgorod continued to see its trading wealth expressed in a number of building projects, both of churches and defences – Rusa to the south of Novgorod had its defences built up, not a moment too soon as early 1200 saw an attack by the Lithuanians up the river Lovot’ towards Rusa and Novgorod. The defenders beat the invaders off, freeing the prisoners and regaining the looted valuables, but most of the Lithuanians were able to escape. Later that year the men of Novgorod struck back with a raid against Latgale, where they killed their opponents and took their wives and children back to Luki as prisoners.
Beating off the Lithuanian attack
Around the same time, late 1199 or early 1200, trouble in the south-west also flared up. Vladimir Yaroslavich died in Galich, without an obvious heir near at hand. His neighbour and rival for the principality, Roman Mstislavich, saw his chance. With the help of the young Polish princes he had aided back in 1195, he besieged a leaderless Galich and forced the inhabitants to accept him as ruler. At least some of the nobles had been trying to get one of Igor’ Svyatoslavich of Chernigov’s sons to come and rule, as they were nephews of Vladimir through their mother. Others had visited the Polish camp, begging Duke Leszek the White to take over Galich himself, rather than allow Roman to rule but these attempts to avoid Roman’s dominance over their region ended badly for the nobles.
To remove any open opposition to his rule, he publicly executed a number of the old elite in a particularly cruel manner. including burying them alive, quartering them and even inventing his own methods of torture, scaring many other noblemen to seek safety elsewhere. This gave Roman the opportunity to confiscate their property and distribute it to his own supporters. Having already split up with his first wife, Roman married again. The chronicles did not mention his wife’s name, but many historians believe she could have been Euphrosyne, daughter of the, at the time imprisoned, Roman Emperor Isaac II Angelos.
Isaac II Angelos, Emperor and Autocrator of the Romans. Unknown Byzantine scribes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Late 1199 also saw the death of Yaroslav Mstislavich, nephew of Vsevolod “Big Nest” and Prince of Pereyaslavl’ after twelve years in charge. Yaroslav had no surviving children and no brothers, so once again Vsevolod got to choose the next ruler. This time, he chose his eldest son, only nine or ten at the time, like his predecessor in the post, also called Yaroslav. The choice, like that of Svyatoslav for Novgorod, seems strange, especially bearing in mind that Vsevolod’s oldest son Konstantin would have been fourteen at the time, so just about ready to rule as an adult, and who did not have his own territory yet. However, Konstantin wanted to concentrate on his studies in Vladimir and the next son, Yury, was not well, so the burden fell on Yaroslav. Yaroslav was accompanied to Pereyaslavl’ by his father, his brothers Konstantin and Yury arriving in August 1200 for Yaroslav to take up his post. After the enthroment, Vsevolod headed back north, leaving Yaroslav behind with a large military force under the command of two of his most experienced commanders.
In Galich, Roman Mstislavich’s cruelty had brought him control of a large rich territory as well as a notoriety among other Russian princes. By divorcing Rurik’s daughter, he had attracted the particular ire of the Grand Prince of Kiev. Rurik had been arranging a campaign to put Roman back in his place with Igor’ Svyatoslavich of Chernigov, who was brother-in-law of the previous prince of Galich – Vladimir Yaroslavich. However, Roman got wind of the plan and struck first. In the autumn of 1200 he mobilised his forces, arriving near Kiev when Igor’ Svyatoslavich was still on the far side of the Dnieper. The Black Hats and Torks serving Rurik saw which way the wind was blowing, swapped sides and Rurik was betrayed again by supporters of Roman who opened the gates of Kiev and many other fortresses in the area. Rurik and his allies were isolated in the inner fortress of Kiev and agreed to abandon the city. Rurik accepted Roman’s peace terms and withdrew to his previous seat at Ovruch.
Ingvar’, would you like to rule Kiev for me, please?
However, Roman Mstislavich, like Andrey Bogolyubsky in his day, was not interested in ruling Kiev himself. The northern chronicles state that his cousin, Ingvar’2 Yaroslavich of Lutsk was set in place by both Roman and Vsevolod Big Nest, while southern sources do not mention Vsevolod at all. It is possible that Vsevolod was not asked, but did not particularly object to Ingvar’s rule, as it would keep the city out of the direct control of Roman and prevent any potential rival to Vsevolod from gaining too much power. Whether or not Vsevolod gave his blessing, that winter, Roman felt secure enough in his extended area of influence to make a move against the Polovtsy on behalf of his new wife’s uncle, the Roman Emperor Alexios III Angelos. The Polovtsy had been helping the Bulgars raid the area around Constantinople and as they frequently did, the Romans engaged a more distant power, in this case – Galich, to strike a closer opponent from the rear. Roman’s campaign was hugely successful, devastating the Polovtsian camps and liberating very many enslaved Russian prisoners, while also breaking the will of the enemies of the Roman Empire.
We shall see how Vsevolod deals with this rival in the next episode.
- Descendants of Yury Dolgoruky, Vladimir Monomakh and Vsevolod I:
Vsevolod “Big Nest” Yuryevich, Grand Prince of Kiev (1173), Grand Prince of Vladimir (1176-1212), son of Yury Dolgoruky, husband of Maria Shvarnovna, brother of Andrey Bogolyubsky, cousin of Izyaslav II and Rostislav Mstislavich, brother-in-law of Mstislav Svyatoslavich.
Maria Shvarnovna, wife of Vsevolod “Big Nest”, mother of all of his many children, sister of Marfa Shvarnovna.
Verkhuslava Vsevolodovna, daughter of Vsevolod “Big Nest”, wife of Rostislav Rurikovich.
Konstantin Vsevolodovich, eldest son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”.
Gleb Vsevolodovich, short-lived third son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”.
Yury Vsevolodovich, fourth son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”.
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, Prince of Pereyaslavl’ (1200-06)…fifth son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”, father of Alexander Nevsky and ancestor of the subsequent rulers of Russia until 1598.
Vladimir Vsevolodovich, sixth son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”
Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, Prince of Novgorod (1200-05)…, seventh son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”
Ivan Vsevolodovich, eighth son of Vsevolod “Big Nest”.
Yaroslav Mstislavich, Prince of Novgorod (1176), Prince of Pereyaslavl’ Zalessky (1178-87), Prince of Pereyaslavl’ (1187-99), nephew of Vsevolod “Big Nest”, grandson of Yury Dolgoruky.
Descendants of Mstislav I, Vladimir Monomakh and Vsevolod I
Mstislav Vladimirovich, Prince of Dorogobuzh (1171-73), Prince of Trepol’ (1173-83), Prince of Kanev (1194-1203), son of Vladimir Mstislavich, brother of Yaroslav and Rostislav Vladimirovich.
Yaroslav Vladimirovich, Prince of Novgorod (1182-84, 1187-96)… son of Vladimir Mstislavich, brother of Mstislav and Rostislav Vladimirovich.
Izyaslav Yaroslavich, Prince of Luki (1197-8), son of Yaroslav Vladimirovich, brother of Rostislav.
Rostislav Yaroslavich, son of Yaroslav Vladimirovich, brother of Izyaslav.
Rostislav Vladimirovich, son of Vladimir Mstislavich, brother of Mstislav and Yaroslav Vladimirovich.
Roman Mstislavich, Prince of Novgorod (1168-70), Prince of Vladimir-Volynsky (1170-88, 1188-1205), Prince of Galich (1188, 1199-1205)…, son of Mstislav Izyaslavich, brother of Vsevolod Mstislavich.
Vsevolod Mstislavich, Prince of Belz (1170-88, 1188-95), Prince of Vladimir-Volynsky (1188).
Ingvar’ Yaroslavich, Prince of Luchesk (1180-1220), Grand Prince of Kiev (1200-02)…, son of Yaroslav Izyaslavich, grandson of Izyaslav Mstislavich.
Descendants of Rostislav Mstislavich, Mstislav I etc.
Rurik Rostislavich, Prince of Vruchy (1168-73, 1173-1208), Prince of Novgorod (1170-71), Grand Prince of Kiev (1173, 1180-81, 1194-1201..) third son of Rostislav Mstislavich, cousin of Andrey Bogolyubsky.
Rostislav Rurikovich, Prince of Torchesk (before 1190-1205)…, son of Rurik Rostislavich, brother of Predslava.
Predslava Rurikovna, daughter of Rurik Rostislavich, sister of Rostislav, wife of Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-Volynsky and Galich.
David Rostislavich, viceroy of Novy Torg (1157-60), Prince of Vitebsk (1165-6), Prince of Vyshgorod (1167-80), Prince of Smolensk (1180-97), fourth son of Rostislav Mstislavich, cousin of Andrey Bogolyubsky
Vladimir Davidovich, Prince of Vyshgorod (1187-119?), Prince of Vyshgorod, son of David Rostislavich.
Mstislav Romanovich, Prince of Pskov (1179-?), son of Roman Rostislavich, nephew of Rurik and David Rostislavich.
Mstislav Mstislavich “the Successful”, Prince of Trepol’ (1193-1203)…, son of Mstislav Rostislavich, grandson of Rostislav Mstislavich, nephew of David, Roman and Rurik Rostislavich.
Descendants of Vsevolod II and Svyatoslav II,
Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, Prince of Novgorod (1140), Prince of Turov (1142, 1154-55), Prince of Vladimir-Volynsky (1142-46), Prince of Novgorod-Seversky (1157-64) Prince of Chernigov (1164-80), Grand Prince of Kiev (1174, 1176-80, 1181-94), son of Vsevolod II, nephew of Igor’ II, father of Vladimir, Oleg, Vsevolod, Gleb and Mstislav, cousin of Izyaslav Mstislavich, great-grandson of Svyatoslav II.
Oleg Svyatoslavich, son of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, brother of Vladimir, Gleb, Vsevolod and Mstislav, father of David Olegovich.
David Olegovich, son of Oleg Svyatoslavich.
Gleb Svyatoslavich, Prince of Kolomna (1179), Prince of Kanev (1182-90)… son of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, brother of Vladimir, Oleg, Vsevolod and Mstislav, grandson of Vsevolod II
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, Prince of Starodub (1164-1180), Prince of Chernigov (1180-99), son of Vsevolod II, brother of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich.
Yaropolk Yaroslavich, Prince of Novgorod (1197), son of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich.
Igor’ Svyatoslavich, Prince of Novgorod-Seversky (1180-98), Prince of Chernigov (1198-1201), son of Svyatoslav Ol’govich, nephew of Vsevolod II and Igor’ II, cousin of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, brother of Oleg and Vsevolod “Wild Bull”, great-grandson of Svyatoslav II
Vladimir Igorevich, Prince of Putivl’ (1185-96), maybe Prince of Novgorod-Seversky (1198-121?), son of Igor’ Svyatoslavich.
Vsevolod “Wild Bull” Svyatoslavich, Prince of Trubetsk and Kursk (1180-96), son of Svyatoslav Ol’govich, nephew of Vsevolod II and Igor’ II, cousin of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, brother of Oleg and Igor’, great-grandson of Svyatoslav II
Gleb Vladimirovich, Prince of a section of Ryazan’ principality (?-1212), great-great-great-grandson of Svyatoslav II.
Descendants of Vseslav the Sorceror
Vladimir Volodarevich?, Prince of Polotsk (118?-1216), possibly son of Volodar’ Glebovich, great-grandson of Vseslav the Sorceror.
Boris Rogvolodovich, Prince of Drutsk (118?-later than 1196), great-grandson of Vseslav the Sorceror.
Vasil’ko Bryachislavich, Prince of Vitebsk (1186-later than 1209), great-great-grandson of Vseslav the Sorcer
Descendants of Yaroslav the Wise
Yaroslav “Eight-Minds” Vladimirovich, Prince of Galich (1153-87), son of Vladimir Volodarevich, great-great-great-grandson of Yaroslav the Wise, father of Vladimir and Oleg, brother-in-law of Vsevolod “Big Nest”, father-in-law of Igor’ Svyatoslavich.
Vladimir Yaroslavich, Prince of Galich (1187-88, 1189-99), son of Yaroslav “Eight Minds”, half-brother of Oleg. ↩︎ - Ingvar’ was the original Norse version of the name Russified as Igor’. It is interesting to see a return to Norse names like Rurik. ↩︎
- Descendants of Yury Dolgoruky, Vladimir Monomakh and Vsevolod I:
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A War Seen From Above
In the fields of Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian reconnaissance crews track movement, guide strikes, and adapt to a battlefield where drones reshape distance, timing, and survival.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/72365
#WarOfAggression #Europa #Ukraine #Zaporizhzhia #drones #Targets #warfare #gunship #army #war #Russia #WarCriminal #invaders #occupiers
#перемогаYкраїни -
#TranspersonalPsychology, or #SpiritualPsychology, is a sub-field or school of psychology that integrates the #Spiritual & #Transcendent aspects of the human experience with the framework of modern psychology. Defined as "experiences in which the sense of identity or self extends beyond (trans) the individual or personal to encompass wider aspects of humankind, life, psyche or cosmos". Also been defined as "development beyond conventional, personal or individual levels".
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Minas Gerais é um ‘espelho da divisão do paÃs todo’, avalia cientista polÃtico sobre pesquisa eleitoral
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Hi all, I've just moved to social.lol from a self-hosted instance, so it's time
for an updated #introductionOne of my big passions is writing: I have a personal website @
https://kedara.eu where I #blog, tend a #DigitalGarden and web weave a #wiki ,
and try to contribute to the #Indieweb #smallweb communities.I'm very much into #yoga and #meditation and everything related to that. I'm
trying to learn #Sanskrit because its a beautiful language and also in order to
be able to read text like the #BhagavadGita #Upanishads #YogaSutras
#BhagavataPurana which greatly inspire me.I'm from the #Netherlands and work in #science in the field of outdoor
#AirQuality I may occasionally share something about that, but this is not a
work account (and any opinions are my own).I love #photography and am slowly getting back into #AnalogPhotography again,
mostly related to #nature #weather #clouds #trees and other beautiful moments,
people and things. I love the #forest, I'm grateful to live at the edge of the
beautiful #Veluwe nature area.Unfortunately I'm operating at half power thanks to #LongCovid since Feb. '22,
so some of my hobbies are in "partial maintenance mode".Let me know if you have similar interests and I'll be happy to chat!
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Public relations is not only for big brands, but also for small companies.
The notion that public relations is a tool reserved exclusively for multinational corporations with expansive budgets and global reach is a myth in the business world.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often operate under the assumption that PR is irrelevant to their operations, a luxury reserved for managing high-profile crises or launching international campaigns. This perspective fundamentally misunderstands the essence of PR, which is rooted in building and nurturing relationships between organizations and their stakeholders. Far from being a peripheral activity, PR is a strategic investment for businesses of all sizes, offering SMEs a cost-effective pathway to amplify their voice, establish credibility, and compete in increasingly saturated markets.
Public relations is frequently conflated with media relations or crisis management, but its scope extends far beyond these narrow definitions. At its core, PR is a discipline dedicated to shaping perceptions, fostering trust, and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders, a category that encompasses customers, employees, investors, suppliers, and the broader community. Unlike advertising, which relies on paid promotions to deliver controlled messages, PR leverages earned media, storytelling, and strategic communication to organically influence public opinion. This distinction is critical for SMEs, which often lack the financial resources to compete with larger brands in paid advertising but can harness PR’s organic potential to carve out a distinct market presence.
The evolution of PR over the past century demonstrates its adaptability. Initially conceived as a tool for corporate image management, PR has expanded to include digital engagement, social responsibility initiatives, and data-driven audience analysis. For SMEs, this evolution presents an opportunity to adopt PR strategies tailored to their unique needs. Activities such as press releases, social media engagement, community outreach, influencer partnerships, and thought leadership are not only scalable but also adaptable to businesses operating at any scale. With the right approach focusing on authenticity and relationship-building, SMEs can leverage PR to differentiate themselves in crowded markets, even without the resources of their larger counterparts.
The belief that PR is nonessential for SMEs stems from a misunderstanding of its role in business strategy. In reality, PR is not merely a reactive tool for managing crises but a proactive mechanism for driving growth, enhancing reputation, and fostering long-term sustainability. For SMEs, the stakes are particularly high: unlike large corporations with established brand equity, smaller businesses often operate on thinner margins and face greater vulnerability to reputational risks. Ignoring PR can result in missed opportunities to build credibility, engage customers, and secure competitive advantages.
One of the most compelling arguments for PR’s relevance to SMEs lies in its ability to generate third-party validation. We are living in a world where consumers increasingly distrust traditional advertising, endorsements from media outlets, influencers, or industry experts carry significant weight. A local bakery featured in a regional food magazine or a tech startup cited in an industry report gains instant legitimacy, enabling it to compete with established players. This form of earned media not only enhances visibility but also builds trust, a currency that is invaluable for SMEs seeking to establish themselves in competitive markets.
Crisis preparedness is another critical consideration. No business, regardless of size, is immune to crises—whether in the form of negative online reviews, supply chain disruptions, or internal conflicts. For SMEs, which often lack the financial resilience to weather prolonged reputational damage, a well-structured PR strategy can mean the difference between survival and closure. Proactive crisis communication plans, including transparent messaging frameworks and media training for leadership, enable SMEs to respond swiftly and effectively to challenges. Moreover, ongoing reputation management, such as monitoring online sentiment and addressing customer concerns in real time, helps mitigate risks before they escalate into full-blown crises.
Cost-effectiveness further underscores PR’s value for SMEs. Traditional advertising channels, such as television or print media, often require substantial budgets with uncertain returns. In contrast, PR strategies like earned media placements, social media campaigns, and community engagement initiatives offer high-impact visibility at a fraction of the cost. For example, a boutique hotel collaborating with travel influencers to share authentic guest experiences can attract global attention without the need for expensive ad buys. Similarly, a well-timed press release highlighting a product launch or milestone achievement can generate media coverage that drives organic traffic and sales.
Customer relationship management is another area where PR proves indispensable. Unlike one-way advertising, PR fosters two-way communication, allowing businesses to listen to customer feedback, address concerns, and adapt their offerings. Storytelling, a cornerstone of effective PR, enables SMEs to humanize their brands by sharing founder journeys, highlighting ethical sourcing practices, or showcasing customer success stories. These narratives build emotional connections, transforming transactional relationships into loyal customer bases. Platforms such as newsletters, blogs, and social media further facilitate direct engagement, turning customers into brand advocates who amplify the business’s message through word-of-mouth.
Finally, PR plays an important role in attracting investors and strategic partners. Investors are more likely to support businesses with strong reputations, clear narratives, and demonstrated community impact. SMEs can position themselves as innovative and trustworthy players in their fields by securing coverage in industry publications, participating in panel discussions, or publishing thought leadership articles. This visibility not only attracts funding but also opens doors to partnerships with larger organizations, creating opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Public relations is not a short-term tactic but a long-term investment in a business’s reputation and relationships. For SMEs, sustainable growth hinges on the ability to build trust, adapt to market shifts, and differentiate from competitors: all areas where PR excels.
Building trust through consistency
Trust is earned through consistent actions and communication. SMEs that regularly engage with stakeholders, whether through timely responses to customer inquiries, transparent updates during crises, or ongoing community involvement, cultivate a reputation for reliability.
Let’s get an example. An AI startup that shares sustainability reports on transitioning to clean energy sources, for instance, demonstrates accountability, fostering customer loyalty and positive relations with other stakeholders, including local community. Over time, this consistency translates into brand equity, enabling the company to weather challenges and command premium pricing.
Adapting to market dynamics
PR equips SMEs with the agility to respond to evolving consumer trends and industry disruptions. For example, monitoring media trends and audience sentiment allows businesses to pivot their strategies proactively and in timely manner.
As an example: A fashion retailer noticing rising interest in circular economy models, for example, might launch a clothing recycling program and pitch the story to eco-conscious publications. This responsiveness not only keeps the brand relevant but also positions it as a forward-thinking leader.
Differentiation in a crowded market
In industries saturated with competitors, PR provides SMEs with tools to stand out. Storytelling that emphasizes unique values, such as a family-owned heritage, artisanal craftsmanship, or innovative problem-solving, creates emotional resonance with audiences. A coffee roastery that sources beans directly from women-led cooperatives in developing countries, for instance, can craft narratives around empowerment and quality, distinguishing itself from mass-market brands. Media coverage of these stories amplifies differentiation, attracting niche audiences willing to pay a premium for aligned values.
The democratization of public relations has leveled the playing field for SMEs, empowering them to compete with larger enterprises through creativity, authenticity, and strategic communication. No longer confined to boardrooms or global campaigns, PR thrives in local communities, digital spaces, and grassroots initiatives where SMEs naturally excel. Embracing PR as a core business function enables smaller businesses to amplify their voice, build enduring relationships and drive sustainable growth.
The future of PR is about adaptability and this works well for SMEs
The future of PR lies in its adaptability: whether through AI-driven insights, virtual engagement, or ethical storytelling. For SMEs, this evolution is an invitation to innovate, leveraging tools and strategies once reserved for corporations with vast resources. PR is not a luxury but a necessity, capable of transforming modest budgets into impactful narratives and local operations into respected brands.
The world and business are about perception that shapes reality which means that SMEs cannot afford to overlook public relations. It is the bridge between obscurity and recognition, between transactions and relationships, between survival and legacy. By investing in PR today, SMEs lay the foundation for tomorrow’s success, proving that strategic communication is not about the size of the business but the strength of its story.
#PR #PublicRelations #ReputationManagement #reputation #business #SME #SMEs #SmallBusiness #tips #marketing #startup #communication
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"By this time in the seventeenth century, those who came from the British Isles, both men and women, outnumbered the Africans in the tobacco fields; even in the middle of the century, when the settler population in #Virginia numbered about 11,000, the Africans accounted for only about 300. Any one of them - African, English, Scottish or Irish - should count himself lucky if he outlived his contract. Of 300 children who came from Britain between 1619 and 1622, only 12 were still alive in 1624."
… wrote #NellIrvinPainter in her book "The History of White People"
cited by Don Jordan and Michael Walsh, "White Cargo: The Forgotten History of Britain's White Slaves in America" (2007)#colonyBuilding #indentures #servitude #bondage #England #Britain #UK #USA #Atlantic #deportation #Race #NellIrvinPainter #quotes #citation #racialization #history #slavery #racism #raceMaking #enslavement #whiteness #White #supremacy #whiteSupremacy
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Perfumania Opens New Store at Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York; Continues Nationwide Expansion https://www.allforgardening.com/1695093/perfumania-opens-new-store-at-roosevelt-field-mall-in-garden-city-new-york-continues-nationwide-expansion/ #ACCESSNewswire #business #BusinessNews #Economy #finance #FinancialInformation #garden #investing #investor #MarketNews #PressReleases #Sedar #StockResearch #StockValuation #TheGlobeAndMail
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✍️ The call for papers for the 8th International Workshop on the History of Speech Communication Research, which is being co-organised by the #PHONLAB team, closes on 15 May.
This year’s edition places particular emphasis on #ExperimentalPhonetics as an emerging field at the intersection of the humanities, medical sciences and engineering, which underwent rapid development throughout the 20th century.
ℹ️ https://ihc.fcsh.unl.pt/en/events/8th-iwhscr/
#IWHSCR #Histodons #CFP #Communication #Speech #HistoryOfTechnology
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✍️ The 8th International Workshop on the History of Speech Communication Research is being co-organised by the #PHONLAB team, with a special emphasis on #ExperimentalPhonetics as an emerging field throughout the 20th century.
📅 The deadline for manuscript submissions is 15 May
ℹ️ https://ihc.fcsh.unl.pt/en/events/8th-iwhscr/
#IWHSCR #Histodons #CFP #Communication #Speech #HistoryOfTechnology
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Hump Day, Hunk Day.
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1942 Daniel Field, Georgia. Air Service Command.
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#ww2 #Soldiers #Weightlifting #AugustaGeorgia #Photography #WorldWarTwo #wwii #humpdayhunkday -
#NYG defense gets a 4th and out stop on the #Texans and #DanielJones kept handing #SaquonBarkley the ball to get down the field. A nice accurate pass to #Cager who drives the TD. The #NYGiants overcame an Illegal Formation penalty on that drive and with #Gano hitting the xtra point its 7-0 #Gmen
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#NYG defense gets a 4th and out stop on the #Texans and #DanielJones kept handing #SaquonBarkley the ball to get down the field. A nice accurate pass to #Cager who drives the TD. The #NYGiants overcame an Illegal Formation penalty on that drive and with #Gano hitting the xtra point its 7-0 #Gmen
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#NYG defense gets a 4th and out stop on the #Texans and #DanielJones kept handing #SaquonBarkley the ball to get down the field. A nice accurate pass to #Cager who drives the TD. The #NYGiants overcame an Illegal Formation penalty on that drive and with #Gano hitting the xtra point its 7-0 #Gmen
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Buffalo Bills – Jacksonville Jaguars: Score, best plays and key moments from the game
The Buffalo Bills (12-5) and Josh Allen take the field this Sunday to face the Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)…
#NFL #JacksonvilleJaguars #Jacksonville #Jaguars #AFCEast-English #AFCSouth-English #BuffaloBills-English #Football #JacksonvilleJaguars-English #jose-rodriguez-english #JoshAllen-English #NFL-English #NFLPlayoffs-English #TrevorLawrence-English
https://www.rawchili.com/nfl/669759/
