Saint Vladimir Grand Prince of Kiev

  General Notes:

--Weis' "Ancestral Roots . . ." (147:23), (241:4). Known as Saint; Illigitimate; his mother was a servant of his father. Also as "The Great".

-- The 'Dictionary of Royal Lineage" says he m. (1) Rogneda of (2), in 989, Anna, d. of Romanus II, Eastern Roman Emporer .

--Weis' "Ancestral Roots" (241:4) gives his wives as (1) a dau. of Kuno, Count of Ohningen, whom he married after 1011, and was the mother of DOBRONEIGA; and (2) Rogneide, dau. of Rognald of Polotzk, who was the mother of JAROSLAV I. ¹¹⁶

  Noted events in his life and other information:

• Family Background Information: ^116,193
"John Bailey" posted to soc.genealogy.medieval on 6 Nov 1997 Subject: Rurik Dynasty of Kiev; From Rurik to Yaroslav the Wise "Shortly before his death in 972, Vladimir's father divided his property among his three sons. The Grand Duchy of Kiev was given to Yaropolk; the land of the Drevlani (now Galicia) was given to Oleg. When neither would journey to the ancient Russian capital of Novgorod, which threatened rebellion, this land was given to the Vladimir, who was an illegitimate son.

Shortly after the father's death, war broke out between the two older brothers, Yaropolk and Oleg. Oleg was not only dethroned but also died during the struggle. On learning this, Vladimir was afraid that Yaropolk would threaten him, as well, and so fled for help to the Varangians of Scandinavia.

A few years later, Vladimir returned with a large force of mercenaries and reclaimed Novgorod. Growing bolder, he waged war against Yaropolk, defeated him and was instrumental in having him assassinated. With Yaropolk out of the way, Vladimir made himself ruler of the entire Kievan realm in the year 980.

In spite of his grandmother's conversion to Christianity, Vladimir was raised a heathen and indulged in the excesses which were available to a Russian prince at that time. Historians record that he engaged in "unbridled dissipation," and they name him a "flagrant polygamist." In addition to his wife, Ragnilda, he had five other wives and many female slaves. By these women he had ten sons and two daughters.

As a reward for helping to defend against the advance of Bulgarian armies and an uprising in Asia Minor, Vladimir asked for Emporer Basil II's sister Anna in marriage. A threat to march on Constantinople was made if his proposal was refused. The Emperor replied that his sister was a Christian and could not marry a heathen, but if Vladimir were a Christian prince, he would sanction the marriage.

Vladimir agreed to be baptized and received the Sacrament in the year 988. The Chrisianization of Russia is reckonded from that year. Upon arriving back at Kiev, Vladimir saw to the conversion of his subjects and ordered the destruciton of the statues of the gods. The wooden statue of the god Perum (the god of thunder and lightning) was torn from its pedestal and was dragged through the mud to the River Knieper, where it was thrown into the water. The destruction of the idols was so impressive that the people readily followed the example of their monarch and accepted Christianity.
In the Russian Orthodox and Ruthenian Greek Catholic calendars, St. Vladimir's feast is celebrated on July 15. Because he was canonized before the Great Schism, he is also recognized by Rome as a saint of the Universal Church."

Vladimir married Rogneda von Polotzk, daughter of Rognald von Polotzk and Unknown. (Rogneda von Polotzk died in 1002.)

Vladimir next married (Miss) of Ohnigne, daughter of Kuno Count of Ohnigne and Richilde of Germany. ((Miss) of Ohnigne died on 14 Aug 1014.)