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Yaroslav I Vladimirovich (the Wise), Grand Prince of Kiev

Male 978 - 1054  (76 years)


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  • Name Yaroslav I Vladimirovich (the Wise)  
    Suffix Grand Prince of Kiev 
    Born 978 
    Gender Male 
    Died 20 Feb 1054 
    Buried Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kiev, Ukraine Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Name in Russian/Ukrainian can also be transliterated as Iaroslav.

      From Foundation for Medieval Genealogy:
      “IAROSLAV Vladimirovich, son of VLADIMIR I "Velikiy/the Great" Grand Prince of Kiev & his first wife Rognoda of Polotsk ([978]-Vyshgorod 20 Feb 1054, bur Kiev Church of St Sophia). Prince of Rostov 988-1010. Prince of Novgorod 1013-1015. He rebelled against his father and refused to pay tribute from Novgorod in 1014. Challenged by his cousin Sviatopolk I Grand Prince of Kiev, following the latter's accession in Kiev, he defeated Sviatopolk at Liubech [1016] and forced him to flee to Poland, succeeding as IAROSLAV I "Mudriy/the Wise" Grand Prince of Kiev. Sviatopolk returned in Jul 1018 with an army led by his father-in-law, Bolesław I King of Poland, and defeated Iaroslav at the Western Bug and forced him to retire to Novgorod. Sviatopolk entered Kiev again 14 Aug 1018 and resumed his rule. After King Bolesław returned to Poland, Iaroslav advanced once more on Kiev. Sviatopolk fled south to raise another force with the Pechenegs but was finally defeated by the river Alta in 1019, when Iaroslav resumed power in Kiev. In 1024, his half-brother Mstislav Prince of Tmutorokan moved his headquarters north to Chernigov to challenge Iaroslav, whom he defeated at Listven. The half-brothers agreed a division of territories, Iaroslav taking the land on the western bank of the Dnieper including Kiev and Novgorod. While Iaroslav was absent in Novgorod, the Pechenegs laid siege to Kiev, but were defeated after Iaroslav returned with a formidable army to relieve the siege. He succeeded in the territories of his half-brother Mstislav on the latter's death in 1036, becoming sole ruler or "Autocrat of the land of the Rus". His greatest project was the conquest of Constantinople but his armies were defeated in decisive battles in 1043. He supervised the rapid expansion of the city of Kiev, modelled on Constantinople. His law code Rus'ka Pravda also contributed to the development and consolidation of his administration especially iin the area around Kiev, although it appears to have had little impact in the north. The Primary Chronicle records the death of Iaroslav 19 Feb 1054 at Vyshgorod aged 76 and his burial place. He left a testament dividing his territories between his sons, the substance of which is recorded in the Primary Chronicle[146] although no original text has survived.
      [m firstly ---. The fact of Iaroslav´s first marriage is indicated by the chronology of his oldest son, although as noted below no primary source has yet been identified which refers to this oldest son. Nevertheless, Iaroslav´s birth date, if accurate as shown above, does suggest that an earlier marriage is likely.]
      m [secondly] (1019) INGIGERD Olafsdottir of Sweden, daughter of OLOF "Skotkonung" King of Sweden & his wife Estrid of the Obotriten ([1000/03]-10 Feb 1050). Adam of Bremen names "filius Iacobus et filia Ingrad" as the children of "Olaph rex Sueonum" & his wife Estred, specifying that Ingrad married "rex sanctus Gerzlef de Ruzzia". Her birth date range is estimated based on the birth of her oldest child in 1020, and her youngest known child in [1036]. Morkinskinna names “Queen Ingigerđr the daughter of King Óláfr the Swede” as wife of “King Yaroslav [of] Russia”. Snorre records the betrothal of "Ingegerd the king's daughter" and "King Jarisleif…from Russia". Her birth date range is estimated based on the birth of her oldeest child in 1020, and her youngest known child in [1036]. The Historia Norwegie records the marriage of "sororem Olaui Sueonensis…Margaretam" and "rex Iarezlafus de Ruscia" at her brother's instigation, after her betrothal to Olav of Norway wawas terminated. It is more probable that she was the daughter rather than sister of King Olof if it is correct that she had ten children by her husband. She is referred to as IRINA in Russian sources. The Primary Chronicle records the death of "the Princess wife of Yaroslav" 10 Feb [1048/50].
      Grand Prince Iaroslav & his first wife had one child:
      1. [ILIYA Iaroslavich (-1020). Baumgarten names him but cites only one secondary source in support. He is not named in the Primary Chronicle. Prince of Novgorod 1015.]
      Grand Prince Iaroslav & his second wife had ten children:
      2.VLADIMIR Iaroslavich (1020-Novgorod 1052, bur Novgorod Church of St Sophia). The Primary Chronicle records the birth of Vladimir son of Iaroslav in 1020. Snorre names "Valdemar, Vissivald and Holte the Bold" as the children of "King Jarisleif" & his wife. His father installed him in 1043 as Prince of Novgorod. He subjugated the Finnic tribe of Yam to secure Novgorod's control over the Gulf of Finland. Psellos records that Vladimir led an attack on Constantinople in [1045], apparently in revenge for the death of some Scythian noble in a brawl, but was defeated and forced to retreat. The Primary Chronicle records the death of Vladimir "Yaroslav's eldest son" at Novgorod in 1052 and his place of burial. As he predeceased his father, his descendants were ignored in the latter's testament and were subsequently considered ineligible to succeed as Grand Princes of Kiev. m --- ([1022]-1066). The name of Vladimir´s wife is not known. Baumgarten identifies the wife of Vladimir as Oda, daughter of Luitpold Graf von Stade & his wife Ida von Elstorf [Brunswick]. This is based partially on the Annales Stadenses which name "Odam sanctimonialem de Rinthelen" as daughter of "Lippoldo filio domiine Glismodis" and "Ida [de Elsthorpe]", specifying that she married "regi Ruzie" by whom she had a son "Warteslaw", returned to Saxony with her son after her husband died. Vladimir & his wife had one child:
      a) ROSTISLAV Vladimirovich ([1045]-Tmutorakan 3 Feb 1067, bur Tmutorakan Church of the Holy Virgin). The Primary Chronicle names Rostislav, son of Vladimir and grandson of Yaroslav, recording that in 1064 he fled to Tmutorakan from where he expelled Gleb and occupied the throne himself, only to be expelled the following year by his uncle Svyatoslav who re-established his son Gleb, whom Rostislav expelled again. Prince of Rostov, Novgorod and Volynia 1056-1064. Prince of Tmutorokan 1064-1065. The Primary Chronicle records that Rostislav was poisoned by the Greeks 3 Feb 1067 at Tmutorakan and his place of burial.
      3. ANASTASIA Iaroslavna ([1023]-[1074/1096], bur Admont Abbey). Baumgarten names the second wife of King András and gives her origin but only cites one secondary source in support. The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified. After her husband's death in 1060, she and her sons took refuge at the court of Heinrich IV King of Germany but, leaving her elder son there, she and her younger son went to Austria. The Annals of Lambert record thhat "regina Ungariorum, mater Salomonis regis" presented the sword of "rex Hunnorum Attila" to "duci Baioriorum Ottoni" after her son was restored as king of Hungary. She became a nun at Admont in 1074 as AGMUNDA. m ([1039]) as his second wife, ANDRÁS of Hungary, son of VÁSZOLY [Vazúl] Prince of Hungary Duke between March and Gran & --- of the Bulgarians ([1014]-Zirc autumn 1060, bur Tihany, Abbey of St Anian). He succeeded in 1047 as ANDRÁS I "the Catholic" King of Hungary.
      4. IZIASLAV Iaroslavich (1024-killed in battle Nezhatinaia Niva 3 Oct 1078 bur Kiev). The Primary Chronicle records the birth of Izyaslav "a second son" to Vladimir in 1024. He succeeded in 1054 as IZIASLAV I Grand Prince of Kiev.
      5. IELIZAVETA Iaroslavna (-after 25 Sep 1066). Snorre records the marriage of King Harald and Elisabeth "called by the Northmen Ellisif" daughter of "King Jarisleif", specifying in a later passage that "the Swedish king Olaf…was brother of [her] mother". Morkinskinna records the marriage of “Haraldr Sigurdarson” and “King Yaroslav and Queen Ingigerdr…daughter…Elisabeth, the Norsemen call her Ellisif”. Snorre records that "Queen Ellisif came from the West…with her stepson Olaf and her daughter Ingegerd" after her husband was killed. m (1044) HARALD Sigurdson, son of SIGURD Syr King of Ringeringe & his wife Asta Gudbrandsdatter (1015-killed in battle Stamfordbridge 25 Sep 1066). He succeeded in 1047 as HARALD III "Hardråde" King of Norway.
      6. SVIATOSLAV Iaroslavich (1027-27 Dec 1076, bur Chernigov, Church of the Saviour). The Primary Chronicle records the birth of Svyatoslav "a third son" to Vladimir in 1027. He succeeded in 1054 as Prince of Chernigov, and in 1073 as SVIATOSLAV II Grand Prince of Kiev.
      7. VSEVOLOD Iaroslavich (1030-13 Apr 1093, bur Kiev St Sofia). The Primary Chronicle records the birth of Vsevolod "a fourth son" to Vladimir in 1030[171]. Snorre names "Valdemar, Vissivald and Holte the Bold" as the children of "King Jarisleif" & his wife. He succeeded in 1054 as Prince of Pereyaslavl, and in 1076 as VSEVOLOD I Grand Prince of Kiev.
      8. VIACHESLAV Iaroslavich ([1033/36]-Smolensk [1055/57]). The Primary Chronicle records the birth of Vyacheslav son of Vladimir in [1034/36][173]. In accordance with the terms of his father's testament, he succeeded in 1054 as Prince of Smolensk. The Primary Chronicle records the death of Vyacheslav son of Yaroslav at Smolensk in [1056/57]. m ---. The name of Viacheslav´s wife is not known. Viacheslav & his wife had one child:
      a) BORIS Viacheslavich ([1056]-killed in battle Niezhatnaia Niva 3 Oct 1078). Baumgarten names him, citing his primary source in support. Prince of Chernigov 1077. Prince of Tmutorokan 1077-78.
      9. ANNA Iaroslavna (1036-5 Sep ([1075/78], bur Abbaye Villiers near La-Ferté-Alais). The Liber Modernorum Regum Francorum records the marriage of "filiam regis Russorum Annam" with King Henri[176]. The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names "Anna filia Georgii regis Sclavonum" as wife of King Henri. She was consecrated Queen Consort at Reims on her wedding day. Queen Anna caused a scandal in France by her second marriage and was forced to leave the court, although she returnrned after his death in 1074. The Liber Modernorum Regum Francorum records the marriage of "Anna, Henrici relicta" and "Rodulfo comitis". "Rodulphus…Ambianensis comes" donated property to Sainte-Marie d'Amiens, with the consent of "Simon filiuus meus et Gualterus, Gualteri Tyrelli natus", by charter dated 1069, subscribed by "Anna uxor eius". m firstly (Reims 19 May 1051) as his second wife, HENRI I King of France, son of ROBERT II "le Pieux" King of France & his third wife Constancce d'Arles [Provence] ([end 1009/May 1010]-Palais de Vitry-aux-Loges, forêt d’Orléans, Loiret 4 Aug 1060, bur église de l'Abbaye royale de Saint-Denis). m secondly ([1061]) as his third wife, RAOUL III “le Grand” Comte de Valois, son of RAOUL II Comte de Valois & his wife Aliénor de Champagne (-Péronne 23 Feb or 8 Sep 1074, bur Montdidier, later transferred to Crépy-en-Valois, église collégiale Saint-Arnoul).
      10. IGOR Iaroslavich ([1036]-1060). In accordance with the terms of his father's testament, he succeeded in 1054 as Prince of Volynia. He succeeded his brother Viacheslav in 1057 as Prince of Smolensk. The Primary Chronicle records the death of Igor son of Yaroslav in 1060[181]. m ---. The name of Igor´s wife is not known. Igor & his wife had two children:
      a) DAVID Igorevich ([1055-Dorogobuzh 25 Jul 1113). The Primary Chronicle names David, son of Igor, and Volodar, son of Rostislav, recording that they captured Ratibor, agent of Vsevolod Grand Prince of Kiev, and established themselves as princes at Tmutorakan. They were expelled in their turn by Oleg Sviatoslavich who returned from Constantinople in 1083. David was installed as Prince of Volynia by his uncle Vsevolod Grand Prince of Kiev 1086 after the expulsion of his cousin Iaropoolk Iziaslavich. He was expelled from Volynia in the following year when his cousin Iaropolk was restored, but after the latter's murder restored again. He was installed as Prince of Dorogobuzh at the conference of Uvetichi 30 Aug 1100. m ---. The name of David´s wife is not known. David & his wife had one child:
      i) VSEVOLOD Davidovich (-1 Feb 1142). Baumgarten names him but cites only one secondary source in support. Prince of Gorodno[186] 1113-1142, Gorodenski 1127. m (1116) AGAFIA Vladimirovna, daughter of VLADIMIR "Monomakh" Grand Prince of Kiev & his second wife ---. Baumgarten records her parentage and marriage, citing one primary source in support. Vsevolod & his wife had five children (named by Baumgarten with supporting sources):
      (a) BORIS Vsevolodich. 1146/1172. Prince of Gorodno.
      (b) GLEB Vsevolodich (-after 1169). Prince of Gorodno.
      (c) MSTISLAV Vsevolodich (-after 1183). Prince of Gorodno.
      (d) --- Vsevolodna. The primary source which confirms her parentage and two marriages has not yet been identified. m firstly (1144) VLADIMIR Davidovich Prince of Chernigov, son of DAVID Sviatoslavich Prince of Smolensk & his wife Feodosia --- (-killed in battle Jul 1151). m secondly ([1152]) BASZKARD Prince of the Kumans.
      (e) --- Vsevolodna (-after 1190). m ([1144]) IURII Iaroslavich Prince of Turov, son of IAROSLAV Sviatopolkovich Prince of Volynia & his second wife --- of Poland (-after 1166).
      b) VSEVOLOD Igorevich. Baumgarten names him, citing one primary source in support. m ---. The name of Vsevolod´s wife is not known. Vsevolod & his wife had one child:
      i) MSTISLAV Vsevolodich (-[1114/16]). The Primary Chronicle names Mstislav grandson of Igor, recording that he accompanied Vladimir to Pereyaslavl in 1103, but does not give the name of his father. Baumgarten names him but cites only one secondary source in support.”
    Person ID I13555  Lowell&Block
    Last Modified 26 Nov 2022 

    Father Vladimir I “Velikiy the Great”,   b. 960,   d. 15 Jul 1015  (Age 55 years) 
    Mother Rognoda or Rogned, of Polotsk 
    Family ID F4666  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 ? 
    Children 
     1. Iliya IAROSLAVICH,   d. 1020
    Family ID F4665  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Ingegerd or Ingigerd OLOFSDOTTIR, of Sweden,   b. 1001,   d. 10 Feb 1050  (Age 49 years) 
    Children 
     1. Vladimir Iaroslavich
     2. Anastasia Iaroslavna
     3. Iziaslav I Iaroslavich, Grand Prince of Kiev,   b. 1024,   d. 3 Oct 1078  (Age 54 years)
     4. Ielizaveta or Elizabeth Iaroslavna, of Novgorod-Kiev, Princess of Kiev, Queen of Norway
     5. Sviatoslav II Iaroslavich, Grand Prince of Kiev
     6. Vsevolod I Yaroslavich, Grand Prince of Kiev,   b. Abt 1030,   d. 13 Apr 1093, Vyshhorod, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 63 years)
     7. Viacheslav Iaroslavich
     8. Anna Yaroslavna or Anne of Kiev, Queen of France,   b. Abt 1030,   d. 1075  (Age ~ 45 years)
     9. Igor Iaroslavich
    Family ID F4663  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

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