Contents
🙂 Greetings to the regular readers and guests of the site “Ladies-Gentlemen”! The article “Yaroslav the Wise: Biography, Interesting Facts” will be of interest to history buffs and high school students studying this topic.
Rogneda – the wife of Prince Vladimir
Ten years before the baptism of Russia, the son of Yaroslav was born to the Grand Duke Vladimir Svyatoslavich, who throughout his later life and deeds earned the nickname Wise. The birthday of Yaroslav Vladimirovich (at the baptism of George, Yuri) has not been established by historians. Even the year of his birth – 978 – remains in doubt.
From his father’s side, he belonged to the glorious family of Rurikovich. The mother was the noble Polotsk princess Rogneda Rogvoldovna. The oldest manuscripts describe Yaroslav’s mother as a bright and extraordinary personality.
Rogneda in a rather rude form refused the matchmaking of the Novgorod prince Vladimir. Then, in a rage, he captured and burned Polotsk, and forcibly made Rogneda his wife. After that, he killed Yaropolk, whom the Polotsk princess was going to marry, and seized power in Kiev.
Rogneda in a forced marriage gave birth to four sons, including the future Yaroslav the Wise, and two daughters. History is also known for her unsuccessful attempt on the life of the Grand Duke, after which she was exiled to the Polotsk lands along with her eldest son.
Rogneda was saved from execution only by the fact that Vladimir was going to marry a Byzantine princess. He didn’t need a bloody reputation.
Novgorod period
Against the background of all the events taking place, Yaroslav, at the age of nine separated from his mother and brothers, was sent to reign in Rostov under the supervision of the breadwinner and governor Budy. When he matured, a more status reign in the city of Novgorod passed to him.
Yaroslava was oppressed by subordination to her father, Grand Duke Vladimir, and by the need to pay him a tribute of 2 thousand hryvnias annually.
In 1014 he took the liberty of refusing to pay tribute. Then Vladimir began to prepare for a campaign against the recalcitrant Novgorodians. But due to advanced years and illness, he soon died, and did not have time to punish the rebels.
On the Kiev throne, after the death of Vladimir the Baptist, his eldest son Svyatopolk the Damned reigned. He was so afraid of losing power and losing his high position that he decided on a horrible crime – fratricide. After the death of Boris, Svyatoslav and Gleb, a similar fate awaited the prince of Novgorod.
Yaroslav managed to completely defeat the troops of Svyatopolk. As a result of his victory in 1016, Kiev was divided between the remaining brothers who were still at war. The clashes continued until the death of Svyatopolk in 1019, after which Yaroslav became the sole ruler of Kiev for many years.
The reign of Yaroslav the Wise
Prince Yaroslav ruled not only for a long time, but also wisely. He himself was an educated man. He read a lot and wanted to see his subjects educated and enlightened people. Representatives of the clergy began to teach adolescents of all classes, without exception, to read and write. A school for 300 boys was founded in Novgorod.
The prince collected a large library of old books and archival documents. He developed the Old Russian code of laws, which was called “Russian Truth”. The construction of monasteries and churches is his good deeds.
The victory over the horde of Pechenegs, won in 1036, brought particular glory to the prince. Until now, the magnificent St. Sophia Cathedral reminds of this significant event.
It was erected on the site of a former bloody battle. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside, there are mosaics and frescoes painted on the walls ten centuries ago.
St. Sophia Cathedral (St. Sophia Cathedral) – the temple was built in the first half of the XI century in the center of Kiev
Yaroslav the Wise was a born diplomat and wise politician. He relied not on the strength of arms, but on the ability to negotiate on controversial issues.
“If you live in hatred, in strife and quarrels, you yourself will perish and destroy the land of your fathers and grandfathers, who obtained it by their great labor …” (1054)
Children of Yaroslav the Wise
The marriages of his children with representatives of European countries also contributed to the strengthening of the state. The sons married foreign princesses and princesses. Daughters Anna, Anastasia and Elizabeth became queens of France, Hungary and Norway.
The prince married the Swedish princess Ingigerde (in Orthodoxy Irina). Aldeygaborg (Ladoga) was received from King Olaf of Sweden as a dowry. In addition, with this marriage, Yaroslav ensured the safety of the northern borders. Olaf preferred a Russian prince for his daughter, although she was in the status of the bride of the King of Norway.
Ingigerda became a worthy companion of the Grand Duke. The princess fully shared his views, took part in state affairs. She gave her husband nine children. By order of the princess, the first women’s monastery was erected in Kiev. Shortly before her death, she was tonsured in Novgorod.
Yaroslav the Wise died on February 20, 1054 in Vyshgorod. The grand-ducal power passed to the eldest son Izyaslav. Each of the sons received his own inheritance:
- Svyatoslav – Chernigov.
- Vsevolod – Pereyaslavl.
- Vyacheslav – Smolensk.
- Igor – Vladimir-Volynsky.
The remains of the Grand Duke, kept for a long time in the Sophia Cathedral in a sarcophagus made of marble, disappeared in the middle of the XNUMXth century. Until this mystery has been solved.
Video
In this collection of videos, more information on “Yaroslav the Wise: Biography”
Exam preparation ↓
Friends, if you liked the article “Yaroslav the Wise: biography, interesting facts”, share it on social networks! 😉 Until next time! Subscribe to the newsletter of articles to your email. mail. Fill out the form above: name and e-mail.