Ragnvald Olafsson

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Ragnvald Olafsson (Belarusian: Рагвалод, Rahvalod; Russian: Рогволод, Rogvolod; c. 920 - 978) was first chronicled prince of Polatsk (945 - 978). Ragnvald came from overseas (i.e., from Scandinavia) and established himself at Polatsk in the mid-10th century. According to the Russian Primary Chronicle, where he is known as Rogvolod (Рогъволодъ), Vladimir the Great sought an alliance with him in 980 by marrying his daughter Rogneda, but she insultingly refused, prompting Vladimir to attack Rogvolod and his sons and kill them, after which he forcibly took Rogneda as his wife.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Janet Martin, Medieval Russia 980-1584 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995), 1.

[edit] Links

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