Vsevolod the Big Nest facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vsevolod III Yuryevich
Vsevolod III the Big Nest
Born	19 October 1154
Died	15 April 1212 (aged 57)
Spouse	Maria Shvarnovna Liubov Vasilkovna
Issue more...	Konstantin of Rostov Yuri II of Vladimir Yaroslav II of Vladimir Sviatoslav IV of Vladimir
House	Rurik Dynasty
Father	Yuri Dolgoruky
Mother	Helene

Vsevolod III Yuryevich, also known as Vsevolod the Big Nest (Russian: Все́волод III Ю́рьевич Большо́е Гнездо́ Vsévolod Trétij Júr'jevich Bol'shóje Gnezdó), was a powerful Grand Prince who ruled the city of Vladimir from 1176 to 1212. During his long reign, Vladimir became a very important and glorious city.

Early Life and Family

Vsevolod was born on October 19, 1154. He was one of many sons of Yuri Dolgoruky, a prince who founded the town of Dmitrov. Vsevolod's mother, Helene, took him to Constantinople (the capital of the Byzantine Empire) after his father died.

Vsevolod spent his younger years at the royal court of the Komnenoi family in Constantinople. This was a time when knights and noble customs were very important. When he returned to Rus' (the old name for the region that included parts of modern-day Russia and Ukraine) in 1170, he may have visited Tbilisi in Georgia. Some old records say that the Georgian king welcomed his nephew from Constantinople and arranged for him to marry a princess from Ossetia.

Vsevolod's Christian name was Dmitry. He built his palace church and dedicated it to St Demetrius, his patron saint.

Vsevolod's Reign as Grand Prince

In 1173, Vsevolod was briefly made the Grand Prince of Kiev by two princes from Smolensk. After being held for a year, he was set free. He then supported his brother Mikhalko in a fight against powerful noble families called boyars in Rostov and Suzdal. When Mikhalko died in 1176, Vsevolod became the Grand Prince of Vladimir.

He quickly took control over the boyars. He also regularly attacked the people living along the Volga River, especially the Volga Bulgars. Vsevolod was so powerful that he even placed his own chosen rulers in charge of Novgorod. He also arranged for his daughters to marry princes from Chernigov and Kiev.

This old painting shows Vsevolod's patron saint, St Demetrius, holding a sword.

Vsevolod was very strict with those who did not obey him. For example, in 1180 and 1187, he punished the princes of Ryazan by taking away their lands. In 1207, he completely burned down the cities of Ryazan and Belgorod. His military fame grew quickly. An old story from that time, called The Tale of Igor's Campaign, even mentioned him, saying he was strong enough to control rivers and win battles.

As he got older, Vsevolod focused less on Kiev and more on making his own capital, Vladimir, a grand city. His first wife, Maria Shvarnovna, was from Ossetia. She was very religious and started several convents (places where nuns live). The Russian Orthodox Church later recognized her as a saint. Vsevolod and Maria had many children, at least fourteen! Because he had such a large family, he earned the nickname Big Nest. Four of his sons, Konstantin, George, Yaroslav, and Sviatoslav, later became Grand Dukes of Vladimir. Vsevolod died on April 15, 1212, and was buried in the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir.

Marriage and Children

Vsevolod married his first wife, Maria Shvarnovna, whose background is debated. She might have been from Ossetia, Alan, or Moravia. They had at least fourteen children:

• Sbyslava (Pelaghea) Vsevolodovna (born 1178).
• Vseslava Vsevolodovna. She married Rostislav Yaroslavich, a prince from Snov.
• Verchoslava Vsevolodovna. She married Rostislav II of Kiev.
• Konstantin of Rostov (1186–1218).
• Boris Vsevolodovich (c. 1187–1238).
• Gleb Vsevolodovich (died 1189).
• Yuri II of Vladimir (1189–1238).
• Yaroslav II of Vladimir (1191–1246).
• Helena Vsevolodovna (died 1204).
• Vladimir Vsevolodovich, Prince of Yuryev-Polsky (1192–1227).
• Sviatoslav III of Vladimir (1196–1252).
• Ivan Vsevolodovich, Prince of Starodub (1197–after 1247).
• Anna Vsevolodovna. She married Vladimir, Prince of Belgorod.

Maria died around 1205 or 1206. Vsevolod then married Liubov Vasilkovna in 1209. She was the daughter of Vasilko Bryacheslavich, a prince from Vitebsk. They did not have any known children.

See also

In Spanish: Vsévolod III de Vladímir para niños