Vladimir II Yaroslavich
Encyclopedia
Vladimir II Yaroslavich (?-1198/1199) was a Rus’
prince (a member of the Rurik dynasty
). He was prince of Halych (1187–1189, 1189-1198/99).
He was profligate by nature. He lived a debauched life and was politically ineffectual. Due to the strife between Vladimir and his stepbrother, Oleg Yaroslavich
and to the interference of Prince Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-in-Volhynia
and King Béla III of Hungary
, his reign in Halych was characterized by troubles. Only the protection that his uncle, Prince Vsevolod III Yuryevich of Vladimir gave him ensured political stability in Halych.
Vladimir was the last male descendant of the first dynasty ruling in Halych; and therefore his death created a political vacuum.
by his wife, Olga Yuryevna, a daughter of Grand Prince Yuri I Vladimirovich Dolgoruki of Kiev
. In 1166, his father brought Boleslava Svyatoslavna, a daughter of Prince Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich of Chernigov
, as wife for Vladimir.
However, his father left his mother in 1172, and took a boyar’s daughter, Nastaska, as his mistress. Vladimir and his mother fled to Poland. But the boyars rebelled and forced his father to reinstate his mother, and had Nataska burned as a witch. The boyars also placed Oleg Yaroslavich (Vladimir’s illegitimate brother by Nataska who was their father's favorite son) under lock and key. They also made Yaroslav Volodimerovich promise to treat his wife with due respect and persuaded Olga Yuryevna and Vladimir to return.
In 1173, Vladimir took his mother and his wife and fled from his father. They went to Prince Yaroslav II Izyaslavich of Lutsk
, but Yaroslav Volodimerovich threatened to attack Yaroslav Izyaslavich if the latter did not evict his son. Yaroslav Izyaslavich therefore sent Vladimir and his family to Prince Mikhalko Yuryevich of Torchesk
(who was Olga Yuryevna’s brother, and thus Vladimir’s maternal uncle) . Son after Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich (Vladimir’s father-in-law) invited them to Chernigov (Chernihiv, Ukraine
) with the intention of sending them to Prince Andrey Yuryevich Bogolyubsky of Vladimir (who was also Vladimir’s maternal uncle); but he did not.
Shortly afterwards, the Rostislavichi (the princes of Smolensk
), who had seized Kiev and taken Grand Princes Vsevolod III Yuryevich and Yaropolk Rostislavich of Kiev
(Andrey Bogolyubsky’s brother and nephew respectively), promised to release the two grand princes if Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich would hand over to them Vladimir whom they would return to Yaroslav Volodimerovich (his father) in Halych.
In 1184, Vladimir was again driven out of Halych by his father; he was harbored by his brother-in-law, Prince Igor Svyatoslavich of Putivl
who ignored the threat of Yaroslav Volodimerovich’s reprisals. Vladimir was reconciled with his father in 1186 by Igor Svyatoslavich; Igor Svytoslavich dispatched his own son, Svyatoslav Igorevich
to escort Vladimir home.
On October 1, 1187 Yaroslav Volodimerovich died. His last wishes were to grant his illegitimate son, Oleg Yaroslavich the rule of Halych, and Peremishl to Vladimir. The Galicians, however, deposed Oleg Yaroslavich forcing him to seek help from Ryurik Rostislavich
in Vruchiy.
’s wife with whom he had two sons. Prince Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-in-Volhynia, whose daughter was married to Vladimir’s elder son, urged the Galicians to evict Vladimir and make him prince. But they failed either to expel Vladimir or to kill him. When, however, they threatened to kill his wife, Vladimir took her, his two sons and his druzhina
and fled to King Béla III of Hungary. A late chronicle reports that Vladimir was defeated by his stepbrother, Oleg Yaroslavich and his ally, Duke Casimir II of Poland
(1177–1194). The townsmen, however, poisoned Oleg Yaroslavich and invited Roman Mstislavich to be their prince.
King Béla III marched against Roman Mstislavich intending to reinstate Vladimir, and Roman Mstislavich fled to his patrimony. But King Béla III sent a message to Grand Prince Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich of Kiev (Vladimir’s former father-in-law) inviting him to send his son. Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich, hoping the king would give his son Halych, dispatched Gleb Svyatoslavich
. Later Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich agreed to attack the Hungarians together with his co-ruler Ryurik Rostislavich; Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich even wanted Ryurik Rostislavich to take all of Halych and in exchange to hand over the Kievan lands to him.
Meanwhile, however, King Béla III, instead of handing over Halych to Vladimir as he had promised, gave it to his son Andrew
. Vladimir and his wife were taken back to Hungary where they were incarcerated. At first Andrew tried to win the loyalty of his new subjects. However, after the attempt of a second cousin of Vladimir (Rostislav Ivanovich) to enter Halych the tenor of Hungarian rule changed for the worse: the Hungarians abused local women and stable their horse
s in Orthodox churches.
In 1189, Vladimir escaped from the Hungarians. He fled to Germany
, asking Emperor Frederick Barbarossa for protection. Vladimir promised the emperor to pay him an annual tribute of 2,000 grivna if he were reinstated by the emperor’s help on the Galician throne. The emperor recommended Vladimir to Duke Casimir II of Poland, who sent Polish
troops to Halych to support the exile’s claim. When Vladimir arrived in Halych, the boyars welcomed him and drove out Prince Andrew.
In the autumn of 1196, Grand Prince Ryurik Rostislavich of Kiev sent his nephew Prince Mstislav Mstislavich of Trepol to Vladimir instructing him to join Mstislav Mstislavich in attacking the lands of Prince Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-in-Volhynia who had attacked the domains of Ryurik Rostislavich’s brother (Prince David Rostislavich of Smolensk) and son (Prince Rostislav Rurikovich of Torchesk). Accordingly, Vladimir and Mstislav Mstislavich razed Roman Mstislavich’s district around Peremil.
Vladimir died in 1198 or 1199; with his death, the dynasty of Halych became defunct.
by his unknown wife.
#2 (before 1189): an unknown woman, who was a priest’s wife at that time
Rus' (people)
The Rus' were a group of Varangians . According to the Primary Chronicle of Rus, compiled in about 1113 AD, the Rus had relocated from the Baltic region , first to Northeastern Europe, creating an early polity which finally came under the leadership of Rurik...
prince (a member of the Rurik dynasty
Rurik Dynasty
The Rurik dynasty or Rurikids was a dynasty founded by the Varangian prince Rurik, who established himself in Novgorod around the year 862 AD...
). He was prince of Halych (1187–1189, 1189-1198/99).
He was profligate by nature. He lived a debauched life and was politically ineffectual. Due to the strife between Vladimir and his stepbrother, Oleg Yaroslavich
Oleg Yaroslavich
Oleg Yaroslavich "Nastachich" was a Rus' prince . He was prince of Halych .Oleg was the illegitimate son of Prince Yaroslav Volodimerovich Osmomysl of Halych by his mistress, Nastaska, a daughter of a local boyar...
and to the interference of Prince Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-in-Volhynia
Roman the Great
Roman Mstislavich , also Roman Mstyslavych or Roman the Great, was a Rus’ prince, Grand Prince of Kiev ....
and King Béla III of Hungary
Béla III of Hungary
Béla III was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was educated in the court of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I who was planning to ensure his succession in the Byzantine Empire till the birth of his own son...
, his reign in Halych was characterized by troubles. Only the protection that his uncle, Prince Vsevolod III Yuryevich of Vladimir gave him ensured political stability in Halych.
Vladimir was the last male descendant of the first dynasty ruling in Halych; and therefore his death created a political vacuum.
Early life
Vladimir was the sole legitimate son of Prince Yaroslav Volodimerovich Osmomysl of HalychYaroslav Osmomysl
Yaroslav Osmomysl was the most famous Prince of Halych from the first dynasty of its rulers, which descended from Yaroslav I's eldest son. His sobriquet, meaning "Eight-Minded" in Old East Slavic, was granted to him in recognition of his wisdom...
by his wife, Olga Yuryevna, a daughter of Grand Prince Yuri I Vladimirovich Dolgoruki of Kiev
Yuri Dolgoruki
Prince Yuri I Dolgorukiy , also known as George I of Rus, was the founder of Moscow and a key figure in the transition of political power from Kiev to Vladimir-Suzdal following the death of his elder brother Mstislav the Great...
. In 1166, his father brought Boleslava Svyatoslavna, a daughter of Prince Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich of Chernigov
Sviatoslav III of Kiev
Sviatoslav III Vsevolodovich , Prince of Turov , Vladimir and Volyn , Pinsk , Novgorod-Seversky , Chernigov , Grand Prince of Kiev...
, as wife for Vladimir.
However, his father left his mother in 1172, and took a boyar’s daughter, Nastaska, as his mistress. Vladimir and his mother fled to Poland. But the boyars rebelled and forced his father to reinstate his mother, and had Nataska burned as a witch. The boyars also placed Oleg Yaroslavich (Vladimir’s illegitimate brother by Nataska who was their father's favorite son) under lock and key. They also made Yaroslav Volodimerovich promise to treat his wife with due respect and persuaded Olga Yuryevna and Vladimir to return.
In 1173, Vladimir took his mother and his wife and fled from his father. They went to Prince Yaroslav II Izyaslavich of Lutsk
Yaroslav II of Kiev
Yaroslav II Iziaslavich , Prince of Turov , Novgorod , Lutsk and Grand Prince of Kiev . He was the son of Iziaslav II of Kiev and the brother of Mstislav II of Kiev....
, but Yaroslav Volodimerovich threatened to attack Yaroslav Izyaslavich if the latter did not evict his son. Yaroslav Izyaslavich therefore sent Vladimir and his family to Prince Mikhalko Yuryevich of Torchesk
Mikhail of Vladimir
Mikhalko Yuryevich , Prince of Torchesk , Vladimir and Suzdal and Grand Prince of Kiev ....
(who was Olga Yuryevna’s brother, and thus Vladimir’s maternal uncle) . Son after Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich (Vladimir’s father-in-law) invited them to Chernigov (Chernihiv, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
) with the intention of sending them to Prince Andrey Yuryevich Bogolyubsky of Vladimir (who was also Vladimir’s maternal uncle); but he did not.
Shortly afterwards, the Rostislavichi (the princes of Smolensk
Prince of Smolensk
The Prince of Smolensk was the kniaz, the ruler or sub-ruler, of the Rus' Principality of Smolensk, a lordship based on the city of Smolensk...
), who had seized Kiev and taken Grand Princes Vsevolod III Yuryevich and Yaropolk Rostislavich of Kiev
Yaropolk Rostislavich
Yaropolk Rostislavich was a Russian grand prince between 1174 and 1175. He was nephew of Andrei I Bogolyubsky....
(Andrey Bogolyubsky’s brother and nephew respectively), promised to release the two grand princes if Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich would hand over to them Vladimir whom they would return to Yaroslav Volodimerovich (his father) in Halych.
In 1184, Vladimir was again driven out of Halych by his father; he was harbored by his brother-in-law, Prince Igor Svyatoslavich of Putivl
Igor Svyatoslavich
Igor Svyatoslavich the Brave was a Rus’ prince...
who ignored the threat of Yaroslav Volodimerovich’s reprisals. Vladimir was reconciled with his father in 1186 by Igor Svyatoslavich; Igor Svytoslavich dispatched his own son, Svyatoslav Igorevich
Svyatoslav III Igorevich
Svyatoslav III Igorevich was a Rus' prince . His baptismal name was Adrian. He was prince of Peremyshl , and of Volodymyr-Volynskyi .-His early life:...
to escort Vladimir home.
On October 1, 1187 Yaroslav Volodimerovich died. His last wishes were to grant his illegitimate son, Oleg Yaroslavich the rule of Halych, and Peremishl to Vladimir. The Galicians, however, deposed Oleg Yaroslavich forcing him to seek help from Ryurik Rostislavich
Rurik Rostislavich
Ruryk Rostislavich , Prince of Novgorod , Belgorod Kievsky, presently Bilohorodka , Grand Prince of Kiev , Prince of Chernigov...
in Vruchiy.
Struggle for Halych
Vladimir lived a dissolute life: he drank to excess, ignored his counselors, forced himself on men’s wives and daughters, and took to himself a priestPriest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
’s wife with whom he had two sons. Prince Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-in-Volhynia, whose daughter was married to Vladimir’s elder son, urged the Galicians to evict Vladimir and make him prince. But they failed either to expel Vladimir or to kill him. When, however, they threatened to kill his wife, Vladimir took her, his two sons and his druzhina
Druzhina
Druzhina, Drużyna or Družyna in the medieval history of Slavic Europe was a retinue in service of a chieftain, also called knyaz. The name is derived from the Slavic word drug with the meaning of "companion, friend". -Early Rus:...
and fled to King Béla III of Hungary. A late chronicle reports that Vladimir was defeated by his stepbrother, Oleg Yaroslavich and his ally, Duke Casimir II of Poland
Casimir II the Just
Casimir II the Just was a Lesser Polish duke at Wiślica during 1166–1173, and at Sandomierz since 1173. He became ruler over the Polish Seniorate Province at Kraków and thereby High Duke of Poland in 1177; a position he held until his death, interrupted once by his elder brother and predecessor...
(1177–1194). The townsmen, however, poisoned Oleg Yaroslavich and invited Roman Mstislavich to be their prince.
King Béla III marched against Roman Mstislavich intending to reinstate Vladimir, and Roman Mstislavich fled to his patrimony. But King Béla III sent a message to Grand Prince Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich of Kiev (Vladimir’s former father-in-law) inviting him to send his son. Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich, hoping the king would give his son Halych, dispatched Gleb Svyatoslavich
Gleb Svyatoslavich (Prince of Chernigov)
Gleb Svyatoslavich was a Rus' prince . His baptismal name was Pakhomy. He was prince of Kaniv , of Belgorod , and of Chernigov . He helped to pay for the Church of St...
. Later Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich agreed to attack the Hungarians together with his co-ruler Ryurik Rostislavich; Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich even wanted Ryurik Rostislavich to take all of Halych and in exchange to hand over the Kievan lands to him.
Meanwhile, however, King Béla III, instead of handing over Halych to Vladimir as he had promised, gave it to his son Andrew
Andrew II of Hungary
Andrew II the Jerosolimitan was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was the younger son of King Béla III of Hungary, who invested him with the government of the Principality of Halych...
. Vladimir and his wife were taken back to Hungary where they were incarcerated. At first Andrew tried to win the loyalty of his new subjects. However, after the attempt of a second cousin of Vladimir (Rostislav Ivanovich) to enter Halych the tenor of Hungarian rule changed for the worse: the Hungarians abused local women and stable their horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s in Orthodox churches.
In 1189, Vladimir escaped from the Hungarians. He fled to Germany
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
, asking Emperor Frederick Barbarossa for protection. Vladimir promised the emperor to pay him an annual tribute of 2,000 grivna if he were reinstated by the emperor’s help on the Galician throne. The emperor recommended Vladimir to Duke Casimir II of Poland, who sent Polish
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
troops to Halych to support the exile’s claim. When Vladimir arrived in Halych, the boyars welcomed him and drove out Prince Andrew.
Prince of Halych
After occupying Halych in the early part of August, Vladimir requested his uncle Vsevolod III Yuryevich of Vladimir in Suzdalia to support his rule and, in return, promised to be Vsevolod Yuryevich’s loyal vassal. He wrote to Vsevolod III Yuryevich: “My father and lord, help me to keep Galicia, and I shall be God’s and thine with all Galicia, always obedient to thy will.” Vsevolod III Yuryevich therefore demanded that all the princes pledge not to challenge Vladimir.In the autumn of 1196, Grand Prince Ryurik Rostislavich of Kiev sent his nephew Prince Mstislav Mstislavich of Trepol to Vladimir instructing him to join Mstislav Mstislavich in attacking the lands of Prince Roman Mstislavich of Vladimir-in-Volhynia who had attacked the domains of Ryurik Rostislavich’s brother (Prince David Rostislavich of Smolensk) and son (Prince Rostislav Rurikovich of Torchesk). Accordingly, Vladimir and Mstislav Mstislavich razed Roman Mstislavich’s district around Peremil.
Vladimir died in 1198 or 1199; with his death, the dynasty of Halych became defunct.
Marriages and children
#1 (1166): Boleslava Svyatoslavna (?-before 1189), a daughter of Prince Svyatoslav III Vsevolodovich of ChernigovSviatoslav III of Kiev
Sviatoslav III Vsevolodovich , Prince of Turov , Vladimir and Volyn , Pinsk , Novgorod-Seversky , Chernigov , Grand Prince of Kiev...
by his unknown wife.
#2 (before 1189): an unknown woman, who was a priest’s wife at that time
- Vasilko Vladimirovich (?-1189)
- Vladimir Vladimirovich (?-1189)
Ancestors
Sources
- Dimnik, Martin: The Dynasty of Chernigov - 1146-1246; Cambridge University Press, 2003, Cambridge; ISBN 978-0521-03981-9.
- Vernadsky, George: Kievan Russia; Yale University Press, 1948, New Haven and London; ISBN 0-300-01647-6.