Vsevolod II of Kiev

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Vsevolod II Olgovich (Russian: Всеволод II Ольгович) (? - August 1, 1146), Kniaz' (Prince) of Chernigov (1127-1139) and Velikiy Kniaz (Grand Prince) of Kiev (1139-1146), son of Oleg Svyatoslavich, Kniaz' (Prince) of Chernigov.

Vsevolod married Maria, the daughter of Grand Duke Mstislav of Kiev. They 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 Boleslaus IV of Poland

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.

[edit] Sources

• Dimnik, Martin. The Dynasty of Chernigov, 1146-1246, 2003

Preceded by Yaropolk II

Grand Prince of Kiev

Succeeded by Igor II