The Prince of Polotsk Vseslav Bryachislavich: a short biography, domestic and foreign policy

Prince Polotsky Vseslav Bryachislavich ruled in Kiev very short time, only 7 months. In Polotsk, power belonged to him for 57 long years. Not only his birth, but life was full of speculation and shrouded in a veil of mystery.

Early life: unusual appearance

Information about the mother of Prince Vseslav was not found. In the "Tale of Bygone Years" there is a tale of his mysterious appearance. It is said that on the baby's head there was a "ulcer". The Magi advised their mothers as follows: "Put this ulcer on him, let him carry it to death." The opinions of historians about the word "ulcer" were divided. Some believe that it means a birthmark located on Vseslav's head, which he later covered with a special bandage. Others are sure that the future ruler was born in a "shirt", that is, on his body there were remnants of the amniotic fluid. Prince Vseslav Bryachislavich in his adult life could wear it as an amulet. The fact that in our days a successful man who has escaped unhappiness is said to have been born in a shirt is an echo of those ancient times. In addition to the fact that part of the placenta could serve as a guard for its owner and set off trouble, this sign could also mean a person's attitude toward witchcraft. Perhaps, that's why Vseslav Bryachislavich was considered a people as a werewolf prince, a sorcerer.

The beginning of the reign

In 1044 the father of the prince died, Bryachislav Izyaslavovich. The power passed to Vseslav: he inherited the principality of Polotsk. But since he considered himself also the heir of Vladimir (Grand Duke), then, in his opinion, all the Kiev princedom should have belonged to him alone. The first decade of his rule, Vseslav Bryachislavich Polotsky was on friendly terms with the princes of Kiev Yaroslavich. They jointly fought against the Turks in 1060. Then began his struggle for the independence of the Polotsk principality.

Fighting with neighbors

Since 1065 the time of raids on neighboring principalities began, the leader was Vseslav Bryachislavich. Domestic and foreign policy, in the opinion of historians, was distinguished by intolerance and militancy. First, Kiev was plundered and subject to siege, then ruined Pskov. In 1067, according to chroniclers, a devastating raid on Novgorod was made. As a result, even the temple of Hagia Sophia was plundered.

Izyaslav I Yaroslavich did not forgive such self-will for Vseslav and, together with his brothers, decided to oppose him. It was a frosty winter of 1067. Despite the frigid cold, the brothers besieged, and then captured Minsk, which at that time belonged to the Polotsk principality. As a result, the entire male population was killed, and women and children were taken prisoner. On the river Neman , an unsuccessful battle with the Yaroslavich brothers took place for Vseslav.

A few months later, the brothers invited Prince Polotsky to the city of Orsha for peace talks. Vseslav, equipping the boat, set out on the road without fear for his life, as the rulers of Kievan Rus kissed the cross, which at that time gave a guarantee of security. But it turned out to be a cunning trick of the brothers. They seized Vseslav Bryachislavich and were taken to Kiev, where they were then sent to the chop (a dungeon without doors, which was built around the prisoner). Such an insidious act caused a considerable resonance among the people, and many residents of Kiev took the side of Vseslav.

Liberation from captivity

Vseslav Bryachislavich, whose biography is based mainly on the annals, was released in 1968. This happened during the popular uprising due to the unsuccessful battle of the Yaroslavich brothers with the Polovtsi on the Alta River. In addition, Izyaslav did not give the people of Kiev weapons to continue the battle with the nomads. Prince Vseslav Bryachislavich was released from prison and proclaimed prince of Kiev. But his rule did not last long, only 7 months, and did not bring any significant events. Izyaslav Yaroslavovich fled to Poland after the insurrection.

Returning to Polotsk

In 1069, Izyaslav, having assembled the Polish army, returned to Kiev. Vseslav Bryachislavich (a brief biography points to his secret disappearance near Belgorod) advanced with his army to meet him, but, being insecure in his abilities, went down with his sons to Polotsk. But even there Izyaslav Yaroslavich overtook him, having thrown off the throne and having put his son Mstislav to reign. But he soon died, and his place was taken by another son of Izyaslav, Svyatopolk. However, already in 1071 Vseslav managed to regain Polotsk. This was not a big deal for him, since the inhabitants of the city were always for their "own" prince.

Heirs of Prince Polotsky

Vseslav Bryachislavich Polotsky (short biography does not indicate the name of his wife) raised seven sons. But some historians insist that there were six of them, since Boris is the baptized name of Rogvolod. It is also not known exactly what destinies they ruled, but the principality of Polotsk was still divided between his heirs during the life of Vseslav, afterwards it broke up into seven domains. Sons - Davyd, Gleb, Boris, Roman, Svyatoslav, Rostislav, Rogvolod. All the princely children received Christian education. Boris Vseslavich contributed to the construction of churches and monasteries. Even the most warlike of sons, Gleb Minsky, who many times attacked the Kiev lands, showed concern for monasteries. Particularly concerned with the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, where he was subsequently buried.

The daughter of Vseslav, Anna, married the Byzantine emperor Alexius Comnenus. Such a dynastic relationship has caused many cultural and historically important consequences.

Signs

At the beginning of his reign, Vseslav Bryachislavich was in good, peaceful relations with the Yaroslavich brothers (Izyaslav, Svyatoslav, Vsevolod). But due to the disagreements Vseslav went to war in Kievan Rus. Chronicles describe the mystical moments that preceded this event. In 1063, the Volkhov River, flowing near Novgorod, carried its waters for five days in the opposite direction. The sages of that time saw in this a bad omen for their city. It is worth noting that historians do not refute the reverse flow of the river and do not consider this a myth, since this fact is a completely scientific explanation.

Two years later, an event occurred again, regarded as an omen of misfortunes. In the sky, an unusually bright star with red rays turned on. Within a week it rose in the evening in the west and shone until dawn. In the annals it was recorded as a "blood star". Historians and this fact found an explanation. The star could well be Halley's comet, every 75 years approaching the Earth. This same star in England was taken for the harbinger of the imminent death of King Edward the Confessor and the seizure of the country by William the Conqueror.

The third omen is a solar eclipse. This natural phenomenon was also seen as a prediction of an imminent misfortune.

In 1065, as predicted by the wise men, the trouble happened - Vseslav went to war in Kievan Rus.

Results of the Board

The territory of the Polotsk principality, thanks to the confident and wise military policy of Vseslav, has increased significantly. The volosts, which were part of the principality at the end of the eleventh century, included Polotsk, Vitebsk, Minsk, Orsha, Mstislav, Lukomlsai, Drutskaya, Logoiskaya, Slutskaya and part of Livonia.

During the reign of Vseslav in Polotsk was built the Cathedral of St. Sophia - the oldest architectural monument in the territory of modern Belarus, which has survived to our time. Bells for the cathedral Prince Polotsky brought from the captured St. Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod.

There is an opinion that in the declining years Vseslav himself took monastic vows. The reliability of this event is unknown. But among the princes of that time such a phenomenon was quite popular.

The mention of Vseslav Polotsk in folklore

The battle on the Nemiga River, as well as the seizure of Vseslav Novgorod, is described in The Lay of Igor's Host. In this work the prince of Polotsk is presented as a sorcerer and werewolf. Not all the events described in the "Word ..." have confirmation in the annals.

The personality of Prince Polotsky and the uprising in Kiev were reflected in the epic "Volkh Vseslavich". The motif of the sorcery of Prince Vseslav is repeated. The war with the prince of Polovtsian Shurukan is described. To make a raid on Russia, he took advantage of the uprising in Kiev.

Prince Vseslav ruled for quite a long time - 57 years. He died his death in 1101 and was buried in Polotsk.