It's my first TL, so, I will be very thanks-full for any comments and criticism.
And I beg pardon, if my English is too bad.
In 1018 Boleslav I of Poland and his son-in-low Sviatopolk went to Kiev to take the city [1].
"Size of Bolesław's army range between 2,000–5,000 Polish warriors, 1000 Pechenegs, 300 German knights, and 500 Hungarian mercenaries. On July 22, the duke [Boleslav] came up to a certain river, where he ordered his army to set up camp and separate the necessary bridges. Also camped near the river, along with his army, was [Yaroslav] the king of the Russians".
Accordingly The Primary Chronicle, Yaroslav outraged Boleslaw as "too fat man". The Duke of Poland attacked Russian army. "It collapsed at the first attack, however, and failed to mount any effective resistance. Among those who fled, many were killed, but only a few of the victors were lost. On our side, the dead included Erich, an illustrious knight whom our emperor had long held in chains. From that day on, with every success, Boleslav drove the scattered enemies before him; and the whole populace received and honoured him with many gifts." Yaroslav was killed in the battle [2].
Boleslav and Sviatopolk went to Kiev. "At Boleslav's instigation, the very strong city of Kiev was disturbed by the constant attacks of hostile Pechenegs and severely weakened by fire. It was defended by the inhabitants, but quickly surrendered to the foreign warriors, after its king [Yaroslav] was killed. On 14 August, the city received Boleslav and Sviatopolk, its long-absent lord.
After placing his long-exiled brother-in-law, the Russian's brother, on the throne, duke Boleslav returned in high spirits. He took some commoners as well as much of the treasury of Kiev. Also, Boleslav took the Cherven towns.
Sviatopolk became Prince of Kiev and all Rus. He sent messengers to Byzantium, to the Emperor and to Novgorod.
(Sviatopolk and his wife, daughter of Boleslaw I, Jan Matejko (1892))
Posadnik [3] of Novgorod, Konstantin Dobrynich, called Sudislav from Pskov and ask him to become Prince of Novgorod and continue the war against Sviatopolk. Sudislav came to Novgorod, but refused to fight. He proposed peace to Sviatopolk and recognized him as Great Prince. Sviatopolk agreed.
Ingegerd, the widow of Yaroslav, went to Ladoga and ruled the city as independent queen [4].
The comet was seem in this year, and people said, that was sign of Yaroslav's death.
In 1019, metropolitan of Kiev died [5]. Sviatopolk refused to received new "Greek" metropolitan and asked archbishop of Poland set Reinbern as bishop of Rus. [6]
Bishop of Novgorod, Ioakim Korsunianin refused recognize archbishop of Poland as his archbishop. He rebels against "Latin's faith", and posadnik of Novgorod, Konstantin Dobrynich, supported him. Sudislav, Prince of Novgorod, didn't want the war, but can't persuade both.
Sviatopolk led his army to Novgorod. Old citizens, who remembered, as Dobrynia burned the city in 988 (he wanted to baptize the city and Novgorod tried fight), opened gates for Sviatopolk. Konstantin Dobrynich was killed [7]. Ioakim and Sudislav were imprisoned, and Sudislav died soon. [8] Eparchy of Novgorod was temporary destroyed.
"Pravda Yaroslava", oldest the legal code of Kievan Rus', was written, probably, in 1017 by Yaroslav. But in ATL this legal code was probably lost.
Novgorod had not benefits, which it received in OTL as a reward for help in war with Sviatopolk. Moreover, Ladoga is independent city in ATL, and it's competitor of Novgorod. So, Novgorod is poorer, than in OTL.
Byzantium was infuriated and required restore old structure of Russian church.
In 1020 winter was very cold.
Byzantium refused to trade with Rus until Ioann become metropolitan of Kiev.
Sviatopolk prepared for war. [9] He allied with pechenegs, who helped him in 1018.
In same year Pope Benedict VIII asked Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor, begin war with Byzantium in Southern Italy. So, Sviatopolk decided to attack Byzantium in next year together with the Emperor.
In this year oldest son of Sviatoplok was born - Yaropolk [10].
In spring of 1021, Bryachislav of Polotsk, take Novgorod. Sviatoplok met him, when Bryachislav returned to Polotsk, and defeated him. Sviatoplok gave him Vitebsk and make peace - Bryachislav became ally of Sviatopolk for many years.[11]
In autumn of 1021, Sviatoplok went to Byzantium, with pechenegs, some hundreds of polish and hungarian knights, and with Bryachislav of Polotsk. Usually way of Russians princes was stright to Constantinople by sea. But last Byzantine–Bulgarian War ended in 1018, and Sviatopolk wanted "repeat the war of Sviatoslav".
Henry II in same time went to Italy.
In winter of 1022 Sviatopolk was defeated on Danube. Greek fleet burned Russian ships and didn't allow cross the river.
In same time Mstislav the Brave, the Prince of Tmutarakan, came to Kiev [12].
Citizens didn't recognized him as Prince, and Mstislav can't take the city. He went to Chernigov - citizens opened gates for him. Sviatopolk quickly returned home, and with his troops attacked Mstislav.
Sviatopolk lost, but Mstislav proposed peace: Rus' was divided on two parts with Dnieper river as border.[13]
(Mstislav the Brave)
Mstislav asked Ioann I as Russian metropolitan, and asked Ioakim Korsunianin as bishop of Chernigov (Sviatopolk released him).
The conflict was ended, Byzantium allowed trade with Rus' again.
In same time failed the war of Henry II - he can't take Troy in the Southern Italy.
And more correct, but less detailed map (on base map of Qazaq2007)
[1] Vladimir the Great died 15 July 1015. His sons begun the war. It's not clear, who was right and who was not, but the fact is - in 1018 only 4 sons were alive:
Sviatopolk, who escaped to Poland, to Boleslav, father of his wife;
Yaroslav "the Wise" in Kiev;
Mstislav "the Brave" in Tmutarakan (Crimea);
Sudislav, probably in Pskov.
One more prince - Bryachislav, was grandson of Vladimir the Great and he ruled in Polotsk.
[2] It's POD - in OTL Yaroslav escaped with only 4 men. In OTL he went to Novgorod, where the posadnik (governor) Konstantin Dobrynich didn't allow him escaped to Scandinavia, and persuaded Yaroslav to continue his war against Sviatopolk, helped him muster a new army. In 1019 Yaroslav returned to Kiev and defeated Sviatopolk. Sviatopolk died soon, and Yaroslav became the Prince of Kiev.
[3] Governor.
[4] Ingegerd Olofsdotter, was the daughter of Swedish King Olof Skötkonung. According to several sagas, she was given as a marriage gift Ladoga and adjacent lands, which later received the name Ingria, arguably a corruption of Ingegerd's name. She placed her friend, jarl Ragnvald Ulfsson, to rule in her stead.
[5] There are some mentions, who was metropolitan before 1019.
Rus was Christianizationed in 988 by Vladimir the Great, with priests from Byzantium, and Russian church was Orthodox.
There is version, that first metropolitan was Teofilakt, from 988 to 1018.
Another version is: first Michael (988-992), then Leontius (992-1018 or 988-1018).
But many historians think, that Ioann I became metropolitan in 1019.
All metropolitans went from "Greek", from Byzantium.
It's not clear, how many eparchies were established in 988. One of versions said, that 4 were established: of Belgorod, of Novgorod, of Chernigov and of Polotsk. But another said, that eparchy of Polotsk was created in 1104, and first bishop of Chernigov is mentioned in 1071, so, maybe, thss eparchy was created later too.
This is very doubt question, and I can't say, that I right, but I use this hypothesis for TTL.
So, in 1019 the metropolitan died.
Maybe, bishop of Belgrad was Anastas Korsunianin, the leader of Russian church during reign of Vladimir the Great (maybe - not, but I use this version too). Anastas went to Poland with Boleslav, so, bishop of Belgrad was vacant in 1019.
Sviatoplok ask set Reinbern as "Bishop of Russia", instead of bishop of Belgrad and a metropolitan both.
Bishop of Novgorod, Ioakim Korsunianin must recognize archbishop of Poland as his archbishop.
[6] Reinbern, bishop of Koloberg, was imprisoned with Sviatopolk in 1013. Time of his death is not known.
[7] in OTL he was imprisoned by Yaroslav and then killed in 1022.
[8] in OTL Sviatoplok and his priest Reinbern were imprisoned in 1013. Sudislav in OTL was imprisoned in 1036. after Mstislav died. But in TTL Mstislav can't influence on Sviatopolk in 1019, Sudislav is younger and died in prison.
[9] In OTL, Russian princes fought with Byzantium for trade treaties in 907 and 944. In 1043 last war with Byzantium had place, exact reason is not clear. So, war for trade is "usual" for Rus'.
[10] Oldest son of Yaroslav was named "Vladimir", by father of Yaroslav. Sviatopolk named the son by father too, but he thought, that he was son of Yaropolk.
[11] As in OTL.
[12] In OTL Mstislav was ally of Byzantium in 1016 in Crimea, helped them in the war with khazars.
In 1022 in OTL Mstislav fought in Caucasus. Many historians think, that he acted as ally of the Emperor Basil II. So, in ATL Basil II sent him against the brother. In OTL Mstislav begun war with Yaroslav in 1023.
[13] In OTL battle with Yaroslav was in 1024, same peace was made in 1026. In ATL all events happend faster, because war with Byzantium was continuing, and Russians can't trade.
And I beg pardon, if my English is too bad.
First chapter.
In 1018 Boleslav I of Poland and his son-in-low Sviatopolk went to Kiev to take the city [1].
"Size of Bolesław's army range between 2,000–5,000 Polish warriors, 1000 Pechenegs, 300 German knights, and 500 Hungarian mercenaries. On July 22, the duke [Boleslav] came up to a certain river, where he ordered his army to set up camp and separate the necessary bridges. Also camped near the river, along with his army, was [Yaroslav] the king of the Russians".
Accordingly The Primary Chronicle, Yaroslav outraged Boleslaw as "too fat man". The Duke of Poland attacked Russian army. "It collapsed at the first attack, however, and failed to mount any effective resistance. Among those who fled, many were killed, but only a few of the victors were lost. On our side, the dead included Erich, an illustrious knight whom our emperor had long held in chains. From that day on, with every success, Boleslav drove the scattered enemies before him; and the whole populace received and honoured him with many gifts." Yaroslav was killed in the battle [2].
Boleslav and Sviatopolk went to Kiev. "At Boleslav's instigation, the very strong city of Kiev was disturbed by the constant attacks of hostile Pechenegs and severely weakened by fire. It was defended by the inhabitants, but quickly surrendered to the foreign warriors, after its king [Yaroslav] was killed. On 14 August, the city received Boleslav and Sviatopolk, its long-absent lord.
After placing his long-exiled brother-in-law, the Russian's brother, on the throne, duke Boleslav returned in high spirits. He took some commoners as well as much of the treasury of Kiev. Also, Boleslav took the Cherven towns.
Sviatopolk became Prince of Kiev and all Rus. He sent messengers to Byzantium, to the Emperor and to Novgorod.
(Sviatopolk and his wife, daughter of Boleslaw I, Jan Matejko (1892))
Posadnik [3] of Novgorod, Konstantin Dobrynich, called Sudislav from Pskov and ask him to become Prince of Novgorod and continue the war against Sviatopolk. Sudislav came to Novgorod, but refused to fight. He proposed peace to Sviatopolk and recognized him as Great Prince. Sviatopolk agreed.
Ingegerd, the widow of Yaroslav, went to Ladoga and ruled the city as independent queen [4].
The comet was seem in this year, and people said, that was sign of Yaroslav's death.
In 1019, metropolitan of Kiev died [5]. Sviatopolk refused to received new "Greek" metropolitan and asked archbishop of Poland set Reinbern as bishop of Rus. [6]
Bishop of Novgorod, Ioakim Korsunianin refused recognize archbishop of Poland as his archbishop. He rebels against "Latin's faith", and posadnik of Novgorod, Konstantin Dobrynich, supported him. Sudislav, Prince of Novgorod, didn't want the war, but can't persuade both.
Sviatopolk led his army to Novgorod. Old citizens, who remembered, as Dobrynia burned the city in 988 (he wanted to baptize the city and Novgorod tried fight), opened gates for Sviatopolk. Konstantin Dobrynich was killed [7]. Ioakim and Sudislav were imprisoned, and Sudislav died soon. [8] Eparchy of Novgorod was temporary destroyed.
"Pravda Yaroslava", oldest the legal code of Kievan Rus', was written, probably, in 1017 by Yaroslav. But in ATL this legal code was probably lost.
Novgorod had not benefits, which it received in OTL as a reward for help in war with Sviatopolk. Moreover, Ladoga is independent city in ATL, and it's competitor of Novgorod. So, Novgorod is poorer, than in OTL.
Byzantium was infuriated and required restore old structure of Russian church.
In 1020 winter was very cold.
Byzantium refused to trade with Rus until Ioann become metropolitan of Kiev.
Sviatopolk prepared for war. [9] He allied with pechenegs, who helped him in 1018.
In same year Pope Benedict VIII asked Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor, begin war with Byzantium in Southern Italy. So, Sviatopolk decided to attack Byzantium in next year together with the Emperor.
In this year oldest son of Sviatoplok was born - Yaropolk [10].
In spring of 1021, Bryachislav of Polotsk, take Novgorod. Sviatoplok met him, when Bryachislav returned to Polotsk, and defeated him. Sviatoplok gave him Vitebsk and make peace - Bryachislav became ally of Sviatopolk for many years.[11]
In autumn of 1021, Sviatoplok went to Byzantium, with pechenegs, some hundreds of polish and hungarian knights, and with Bryachislav of Polotsk. Usually way of Russians princes was stright to Constantinople by sea. But last Byzantine–Bulgarian War ended in 1018, and Sviatopolk wanted "repeat the war of Sviatoslav".
Henry II in same time went to Italy.
In winter of 1022 Sviatopolk was defeated on Danube. Greek fleet burned Russian ships and didn't allow cross the river.
In same time Mstislav the Brave, the Prince of Tmutarakan, came to Kiev [12].
Citizens didn't recognized him as Prince, and Mstislav can't take the city. He went to Chernigov - citizens opened gates for him. Sviatopolk quickly returned home, and with his troops attacked Mstislav.
Sviatopolk lost, but Mstislav proposed peace: Rus' was divided on two parts with Dnieper river as border.[13]
(Mstislav the Brave)
Mstislav asked Ioann I as Russian metropolitan, and asked Ioakim Korsunianin as bishop of Chernigov (Sviatopolk released him).
The conflict was ended, Byzantium allowed trade with Rus' again.
In same time failed the war of Henry II - he can't take Troy in the Southern Italy.
And more correct, but less detailed map (on base map of Qazaq2007)
[1] Vladimir the Great died 15 July 1015. His sons begun the war. It's not clear, who was right and who was not, but the fact is - in 1018 only 4 sons were alive:
Sviatopolk, who escaped to Poland, to Boleslav, father of his wife;
Yaroslav "the Wise" in Kiev;
Mstislav "the Brave" in Tmutarakan (Crimea);
Sudislav, probably in Pskov.
One more prince - Bryachislav, was grandson of Vladimir the Great and he ruled in Polotsk.
[2] It's POD - in OTL Yaroslav escaped with only 4 men. In OTL he went to Novgorod, where the posadnik (governor) Konstantin Dobrynich didn't allow him escaped to Scandinavia, and persuaded Yaroslav to continue his war against Sviatopolk, helped him muster a new army. In 1019 Yaroslav returned to Kiev and defeated Sviatopolk. Sviatopolk died soon, and Yaroslav became the Prince of Kiev.
[3] Governor.
[4] Ingegerd Olofsdotter, was the daughter of Swedish King Olof Skötkonung. According to several sagas, she was given as a marriage gift Ladoga and adjacent lands, which later received the name Ingria, arguably a corruption of Ingegerd's name. She placed her friend, jarl Ragnvald Ulfsson, to rule in her stead.
[5] There are some mentions, who was metropolitan before 1019.
Rus was Christianizationed in 988 by Vladimir the Great, with priests from Byzantium, and Russian church was Orthodox.
There is version, that first metropolitan was Teofilakt, from 988 to 1018.
Another version is: first Michael (988-992), then Leontius (992-1018 or 988-1018).
But many historians think, that Ioann I became metropolitan in 1019.
All metropolitans went from "Greek", from Byzantium.
It's not clear, how many eparchies were established in 988. One of versions said, that 4 were established: of Belgorod, of Novgorod, of Chernigov and of Polotsk. But another said, that eparchy of Polotsk was created in 1104, and first bishop of Chernigov is mentioned in 1071, so, maybe, thss eparchy was created later too.
This is very doubt question, and I can't say, that I right, but I use this hypothesis for TTL.
So, in 1019 the metropolitan died.
Maybe, bishop of Belgrad was Anastas Korsunianin, the leader of Russian church during reign of Vladimir the Great (maybe - not, but I use this version too). Anastas went to Poland with Boleslav, so, bishop of Belgrad was vacant in 1019.
Sviatoplok ask set Reinbern as "Bishop of Russia", instead of bishop of Belgrad and a metropolitan both.
Bishop of Novgorod, Ioakim Korsunianin must recognize archbishop of Poland as his archbishop.
[6] Reinbern, bishop of Koloberg, was imprisoned with Sviatopolk in 1013. Time of his death is not known.
[7] in OTL he was imprisoned by Yaroslav and then killed in 1022.
[8] in OTL Sviatoplok and his priest Reinbern were imprisoned in 1013. Sudislav in OTL was imprisoned in 1036. after Mstislav died. But in TTL Mstislav can't influence on Sviatopolk in 1019, Sudislav is younger and died in prison.
[9] In OTL, Russian princes fought with Byzantium for trade treaties in 907 and 944. In 1043 last war with Byzantium had place, exact reason is not clear. So, war for trade is "usual" for Rus'.
[10] Oldest son of Yaroslav was named "Vladimir", by father of Yaroslav. Sviatopolk named the son by father too, but he thought, that he was son of Yaropolk.
[11] As in OTL.
[12] In OTL Mstislav was ally of Byzantium in 1016 in Crimea, helped them in the war with khazars.
In 1022 in OTL Mstislav fought in Caucasus. Many historians think, that he acted as ally of the Emperor Basil II. So, in ATL Basil II sent him against the brother. In OTL Mstislav begun war with Yaroslav in 1023.
[13] In OTL battle with Yaroslav was in 1024, same peace was made in 1026. In ATL all events happend faster, because war with Byzantium was continuing, and Russians can't trade.
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