As you know, the death of Vladimir caused the struggle of his sons. Svyatopolk tried to temporarily establish himself in the city. Then he was expelled by Yaroslav, settled on the Grand Duchess! and again with the help of his father-in-law Boleslav and finally died. Since the death of St. Vladimir, the activity of Svyatopolk no longer belongs to the Turov region and therefore we will not monitor it 3%). We only note that Svayatopolk, in his claims to Kevsyu, enjoyed such strong support from the local population, had a significant party in Yuev itself, without which his successes would have been inexplicable. In addition, the Turov land took an active part in his struggles, from where he recruited troops: “Svatopolk howled to Derevkh and Pinsk and went to Noev, thinking of destroying all his brothers” 35). Thus, he used the army from his region as the main force with which he wanted to stay in Yuev:
So, Ovyatopolk fell in the fight with Yaroslav. Turov and Smolensk submitted to the latter.
Having finally established himself on the Yuev table, Yaroslav, however, had not yet finished with all his battles: in the distant Tmutarakan sat the brave and courageous Metislav, famous for his victories over the Caucasian peoples; in Polotsk sat Bryachislav Izyaslavich. They could have been dissatisfied with Yaroslav’s strength and could have demanded more catches for themselves. And so it happened.
Bryachislav Izyaslavich soon declared his demand for the Russian land. In 1021, he attacked Novgorod, captured many citizens, plundered treasure and took control of his kingdom. But Yaroslav, who had been informed of this, warned him; 7 days later he met Bryachislav on the Sudomiri river,
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34) Analysis of these reports was made in the city of Linnichenkom, Vz, rel. Rusi and Sholshi, Ch. |, r. 833-100. Sy. also Ditmar's Chronicle, a source for Russian history. Mr. Golubovsky and Mr. Vrublevsky about chronicles®. M. Galla.
35) chronicler of Pereyaslavl-Suzdal, ed. sq. Obolensky, M. 1851, b. 33,
smashed it on his head and took away the rich and looted treasures 35). However, Yaroslav did not pursue his enemy further; on the contrary, he himself called him to himself, made peace with him, and gave him two more cities: Vitebek and Usvyat 37). Obviously, Yaroslav recognized the correctness of Bryacheslav’s demands and, moreover, was afraid that if he did not satisfy the Polotsk prince, then the Novgorod rulers would be subjected to frequent attacks from the latter. That is why he himself was the first to offer peace to Bryachislav.
Judging by the conditions of the world, one can think that the aforementioned two towns were the main subject of claims on the part of the Polotsk prince. Both cities, located on trade roads, were of great importance for Polotsk: owning them, they later held in their hands the routes of the upper Dvina and the most important part of the great water route from Varyag to Greki-voloki between the Dvina and the Dnieper. The purpose of war is thus more important. Perhaps, from that same time, part of the Dnieper region with Orsha and Kopys, later taken away by Monomakh, was annexed to the Principality of Polotsk. In fact: if Bryachislav did not control Vitebsk, then it probably did not control the named part, which lay to the east of the named city. His closest successors, having lost their lands, could hardly acquire new ones.
Bryachislav Izyaslavich died in 1044 38), leaving behind his son Vseslav. In what year Vseslav was born is unknown; but this personality made such a strong impression on the people that it was believed that he was born from a sorcerer and that because of this he had a birthmark on his head that had a special magical power. The Magi ordered Zli to wear a bandage on his head to cover this spot 3). And in general, Vseslav was known as a supernatural, a sorcerer, even among more educated people.
35) Ishat. lit., 102; Tatishchev, 1, 101, Novgor. l., 89} Nikon., 77, Tverskaya, 142, Vosvresenskaya, (P.S.R.L., t. UP, r.
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EGINNING. HEE! ST. 77
mi of that time. Izvfstny literary monument HI vfka 49) characterizes the Polotsk sorcerer this way: “Prince Vseslav gave justice to the people, put the princes of the city in order, and he himself prowled like a wolf: from Eva to Pfnya and I’tukhov he reached Tmutarakan, crossing the path of the great Horse (Sun) as a wolf. Polotsk to ring the matins at St. Sophia, and he hears the ringing in Yunyev. Although his soul is in a different body, he often resists. To him (Vseslav) the visionary Boyan told him a proverb: “Neither cunning nor much can escape the judgment of God.”