Yaroslav II of Vladimir facts for kids

Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich (born February 8, 1191 – died September 30, 1246) was an important ruler in early Russia. He was known as the Grand Prince of Vladimir from 1238 to 1246. Yaroslav had to deal with the powerful Mongol Empire after they invaded Russia. He worked with the Mongol leaders, but his life ended when he was poisoned.

Becoming a Prince

Yaroslav was the fourth son of Vsevolod the Big Nest, a very powerful prince. His mother was Maria Shvarnovna.

In 1200, when Yaroslav was just nine years old, his father sent him to rule the town of Pereiaslav. This town was close to the lands of the Kipchaks, a group of nomadic warriors.

Later, in 1206, some important people called boyars from Halych asked him to rule their city. But he couldn't take control there. Then, he was sent to take Ryazan. The people of Ryazan fought back strongly, and the city was burned down.

In 1209, Yaroslav's father sent him to fight Mstislav the Bold in Novgorod. After some battles, the two princes made peace. Yaroslav even married Mstislav's daughter as part of the peace agreement.

When his father, Vsevolod the Big Nest, was dying, he gave Yaroslav the town of Pereslavl-Zalessky. Yaroslav supported his brother Yuri in a fight against their older brother Konstantin.

In 1215, the people of Novgorod asked Yaroslav to be their prince again. But he remembered how they had treated him before. So, he captured Torzhok and stopped food from reaching Novgorod. A few months later, his father-in-law, Mstislav, defeated him in the Battle of Lipitsa. Yaroslav had to go back to Pereslavl. A helmet he lost during this battle was found by archaeologists much later, in 1808.

A helmet lost by Yaroslav in the aftermath of the Lipitsa Battle and retrieved by a peasant in 1808.

Ruling Novgorod and Kiev

In 1222, Yaroslav finally became the ruler of Novgorod. He led his army into Estonia and attacked its capital, Kolyvan. Four years later, he attacked Finland and helped spread Christianity in Karelia.

Yaroslav then wanted to take control of Pskov. But the people of Novgorod did not want to fight their neighbor. Yaroslav got angry and left, taking control of Volokolamsk, a town that belonged to Novgorod.

In 1234, he returned to Novgorod. A few years later, he defeated Novgorod's main enemies: the Lithuanians and the Teutonic Knights. In 1236, he moved from Novgorod to Kiev, following advice from Daniel of Galicia. He left his son Alexander Nevsky to rule Novgorod in his place.

Grand Prince and Mongol Times

In 1238, the Mongols invaded Russia. Yaroslav's older brother Yuri was killed in battle. Yaroslav then moved from Kiev to Vladimir, where he became the Grand Prince.

Yaroslav tried to rebuild the cities of Vladimir-Suzdal after the Mongols had destroyed them. In 1243, the Mongol leader Batu Khan called Yaroslav to his capital, Sarai. After a long meeting, Yaroslav returned to Vladimir with honors.

Two years later, he was called to the east again, this time by Güyük Khan in Karakorum. There, he was poisoned by the Great Khan's mother, Töregene. Yaroslav died a week after he was allowed to start his journey home.

Yaroslav's Family

Yaroslav married his first wife around 1205. She was the daughter of Yuri Konchakovich, a leader of the Cumans. The Cumans were a group of Turkic warriors and herders.

In 1214, Yaroslav married his second wife, Rostislava Mstislavna. She was the daughter of Mstislav the Bold and another Cuman princess. Her grandfather was Kotian Khan. Yaroslav and Rostislava divorced in 1216.

In 1218, Yaroslav married his third wife, Fedosia Igorevna of Ryazan. She was the daughter of Igor Glebovich and Agrafena of Kiev. Yaroslav and Fedosia had at least twelve children, including:

• Fyodor Yaroslavich (1219 – 1233). He was supposed to marry Euphrosyne Mikhailovna, but he died the day before his wedding.
• Alexander Nevsky (1220 – 1263). He became a very famous prince and military leader.
• Andrei II of Vladimir (c. 1222–1264).
• Mikhail Khorobrit, who became Prince of Moscow.
• Yaroslav of Tver (died 1271).
• Vasily of Kostroma (1241–1276).

See also

In Spanish: Yaroslav II de Nóvgorod para niños