Vsevolod II of Kiev

From Wikipedia



Vsevolod II Olgovich (Russian: Всеволод II Ольгович) (died August 1, 1146) was the Prince (Knyaz) of Chernigov (1127–1139) and Grand Prince (Velikiy Knyaz) of Kiev (1139–1146), son of Oleg Svyatoslavich, Prince of Chernigov.

Vsevolod married Maria, the sister of Grand Duke Mstislav of Kiev, known as Harald in the Norse Sagas.

Maria's parents were Prince Vladimir II Monomakh and Gytha of Wessex, an Anglo-Saxon princess who travelled to Russia. Through Princess Gytha, the Princes of Chernigov may trace their lineage to Harald II (Harald Godwinson) of England and his consort Edith Swanneck.  Harald was the very last Anglo-Saxon King of England and died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Vsevolod II and his wife Maria had two sons and two daughters:

1. Sviatoslav III of Kiev
2. Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, born in 1139
3. Anna of Chernigov, married a prince of Galicia according to some chronicles
4. Zvenislava of Chernigov, married Boleslaw I the Tall, Duke of Wroclaw

Though he had two sons, Vsevolod's chosen successor was his brother, Igor, and he obtained pledges from his subjects to accept Igor as his heir. According to one account, Vsevolod even had the Kievans kiss the Holy Cross and swear loyalty to Igor, which they resented. Shortly before his death, Vsevolod became a monk under the name Gavriil (Gabriel).