January, 1066: The Consolidation of Polotsk
Vseslav, the Prince of Polotsk, assessed his realm's situation. He was the grandson of Izyaslav, second son of Vladimir the Great and older brother of Yaroslav the Wise; furthermore, Izyaslav's mother was a daughter of Rogvolod, first Prince of Polotsk who came from Norway with his men. Clearly, his was the eldest branch of the Rurikovich family, and it was his right to be the Grand Prince of all Rus. But the damnable sons of Yaroslav the Wise had established themselves in most of Rus, and none of them recognized his claims. Something would have to be done.
Some called him
Vseslav "The Sorcerer" or "The Werewolf". It was said that he could perform magic, though none had witnessed it. The Prince himself never saw the need to confirm or refute these rumors. A Flamboyant Schemer, he enjoyed keeping his courtiers in a state of uncertainty - he always thought it would keep them sharp and loyal.
Rogvolod, heir to Polotsk
His eldest son Rogvolod was in many ways an opposite of his father. Rogvolod was a tough warrior and diplomat, with little patience for political games and intrigue. But Vseslav loved him all the same, for his son's talents would also be useful in many cases.
Map of Polotsk
Gazing at the map, Vseslav considered the borders of his Principality. To the west lay the pagan lands of Lithuanians and Lettigallians, as well as the Catholic Kingdom of Poland. To the east was the Principality of Smolensk. To the north and the south lay the lands of his greatest rivals. Kiev, the center of Rus was ruled by Prince Izyaslav, eldest son of Yaroslav the Wise and Vseslav's most dangerous enemy - not the least because Novgorod, in the north, was ruled by Izyaslav's eldest son and heir, Mstislav. Both intrigue and strength of arms would be needed to prevail over the Kievans.
Already war was coming to the lands of Rus. Princes and counts declared war on one another and on the pagans living beyond the borders. Vseslav already made calculations in his head, plans on the coming wars. But first, succession had to be secured. Vseslav's own wife had died some years past, and his son Rogvolod had just come of age and was ready to marry. After considering his options, Vseslav sent envoys to the court of Denmark, bearing gifts of honey and furs, and sweet words to go with them. Svend, the Danish King, appeared reluctant at first to send his daughters to the court of a Russian prince. But in the end, he was convinced. On January 18th, two weddings were held in Polotsk. Prince Vseslav married the Danish princess Gro, and his son Rogvolod married her sister, Ingrid. Much marriage duty was collected from the lands to pay for the arrangements.
The next thing on Vseslav's mind was to consolidate his lands under his own family. Fortunately, he had only one vassal, count Trifon of Orsha. Soon, messengers were sent to "persuade" the count to relinquish his title to the Prince. The count, fortunately for himself, proved very reasonable about this request, yielding his title with little trouble. Vseslav now ruled all his lands directly, even though some begrudged him this.
Soon afterwards Vseslav passed new legislation. Henceforth, the lands of the Principality would no longer be divided between all sons as was the custom in Rus, but would be passed to the eldest son in their entirety. It was also made clear that the realm was ruled by Royal Prerogative, given from God and Christ, and not by any old pagan traditional customs or feudal agreements. Finally, monasteries were granted supremacy in the land's religious life - though some said it was only because they lined the Prince's pocket.
Finally, Vseslav had to make new court appointments. This was the easiest part. His new wife, princess Gro, became the Steward, while his daughter-in-law Ingrid was appointed Chancellor. Finally his son Rogvolod was named Marshal. Only the Spymaster's position remained open, as Vseslav wanted to wait and seek someone truly qualified for the task.
The consolidation complete, Vseslav could now turn his attention outwards.
May 1066 - April 1069: The Lithuanian War
Vseslav looked at the map once more. To defeat Kiev, he had to become more powerful, and land meant power. To the west, the pagan tribe of Lithuanians inhabited great forests, rich with game and furs. Those lands would make a fine addition to Polotsk, indeed.
In late May, the call went out to the counties to muster their levies and send them to the capital to answer the Prince's summons. By mid-June, the armies gathered in the city, and a few days later war was declared against Antanas, High Chief of the Lithuanians. Immediately the armies marched on his core tribal lands in Aukshayts. On July 8, the battle was joined, as the army led by Vseslav and Rogvolod met Antanas' tribesmen in battle. It was a long one, with skirmishes and maneuvering lasting until late August. But finally the Lithuanian High Chief was beaten and sent retreating. Vseslav's army laid siege to his stronghold.
Vseslav's wife and steward, Gro, was on the campaign with him, for she did not wish to be separated from her new husband. And so it was in September that the midwives said that the Princess was with child. Vseslav was overjoyed, for he already had many sons and more would only strengthen his house against the Kievan usurpers. Vseslav's son Rogvolod and his wife Ingrid were also on the campaign, but Rogvolod spent most of his time fighting and training with the men like the warrior he was, and Ingrid had yet to become pregnant.
On August 22nd of 1066, a young woman walked into Vseslav's camp. She introduced herself as Dobrodjaja of Polotsk, and said that she could be of service to the Prince. Intrigued, Vseslav invited her to talk with him privately. After three hours, the two emerged from his tent, and from that day Dobrodjaja was named Spymaster of Polotsk. Indeed, in the coming months many would say that her wit and love of scheming exceeded even that of the Prince.
As the siege continued, Antanas' vassal, chief Dravenis of Zhmud, sent his own armies to help his master. In November, the first new wave of Lithuanians attacked Vseslav's men. After a month of fighting, they were finally sent fleeing, but in January of 1067 another horde arrived and was barely beaten back. Vseslav's army had now sustained serious losses, and only half of the men who set out from Polotsk still remained alive.
Back from home, word came of news good and bad. A forestry was completed in Polotsk, allowing the production and sale of fine lumber. According to the Prince's new philosophy of rule, the peasants of Polotsk were taught that it was their Divine Duty to be loyal and faithful to their liege. But not all of them agreed, and many took to crime to steal what others earned through hard work. In West Dvina this was particularly bad, as an entire guild of thieves was said to have formed there.
In February of 1067 some good news were had. Rogvolod's wife Ingrid was finally with child. Barely a month later, the tribe of Zhmud threw its last hordes at Vseslav's army besieging Aukshayts. They were driven off with some difficulty. But then the unthinkable happened. Word came that the Prince of Kiev declared war on the tribe of Zhmud. Vseslav was outraged. It was clear that Izyaslav of Kiev was hoping to attack the Lithuanians while they were weak, and to steal their lands from under Vseslav's nose. But with too few men, Vseslav could do nothing.
More good news came On June 20th, when Vseslav's wife Gro gave birth to a son, who was named Sviatopolk. Vseslav's family was now quite large and succession would be assured. Inspired, Vseslav redoubled his efforts against the pagans, and on August 21th Aukshayts was taken and added to the lands of Polotsk. On the same day the army marched west against the chief of Zhmud. Word came from the south that the army of Kiev was already besieging their southern province, Sudovia. On September 22nd, shortly after the army arrived in Zhmud, Vseslav's wife Gro was again with child.
The pagans were shattered by now, and some advisors recommended a white peace with them. But Vseslav refused, for he knew he needed more lands to make his family strong. Afterwards, many said that he was as Zealous as any western crusader.
On November 22nd, Rogvolod's wife Ingrid gave birth to a child - a daughter, who was named Elisaveta. Soon she was again pregnant, as Rogvolod seemed to take his duties as a husband more seriously now.
In December word came that the towns and hamlets of Polotsk grew, increasing its prosperity. It was obvious that Vseslav's successful consolidation of his lands was to thank for this growth.
1068 came as the siege of Zhmud continued. June 26th was a day of sorrow, as Vseslav's wife Gro gave birth to a stillborn child. But in August the heathens of Zhmud finally surrendered, and their lands were added to Polotsk.
Then, strange news came from the south. Izyaslav's Kievan army lifted their siege of Sudovia and was retreating. Scarcely believing his luck, Vseslav ordered an immediate march south. His army arrived in Sudovia on September 3rd and immediately laid siege. Soon, the Kievan army returned and joined the siege again, though nobody knew why they departed in the first place. But Dobrodjaja the Spymaster was smiling - she knew that a few forged letters could go a long way... And Vseslav knew as well. Dobrodjaja was a fine young woman of 17, and marriage offers were coming to Vseslav's court. Envoys from Russian and Byzantine counts, and even the King of Georgia, all were asking for Dobrodjaja's hand. But Vseslav refused them all, for he knew that Dobrodjaja would yet serve him well...
The Kievans retreat as Vseslav marches on Sudovia
On September 24th, Rogvolod's wife Ingrid gave birth to a baby boy, who was named Alexei. The people rejoiced, and so did Vseslav, for he now had a grandson who would one day inherit Polotsk.
Alexei, Vseslav's grandson
Back home, the engineers employed by Vseslav discovered the techniques of building hill forts. These would be needed soon, to defend Vseslav's lands both old and new.
Finally, in April of 1069, Sudovia fell to Vseslav's army. The Lithuanians were now crushed, their lands added to Polotsk. And both Vseslav's and Rogvolod's wives were again expecting children. The future looked promising...
Principality of Polotsk in April 1069