#vladimir — Public Fediverse posts on home.social

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. ↩︎

#chernigov #Constantinople #Galich #History #Kiev #Novgorod #Polotsk #Polovtsy #Russia #RussianHistory #Smolensk #vladimir #war

#chernigov #constantinople #galich #history #kiev #novgorod