Mstislav of Chernigov

Mstislav Vladimirovich was the earliest attested prince of Tmutarakan and Chernigov in Kievan Rus'. He was a younger son of Vladimir the Great, Grand Prince of Kiev. His father appointed him to rule Tmutarakan, an important fortress by the Strait of Kerch, in or after 988. He invaded the core territories of Kievan Rus', which were ruled by his brother, Yaroslav the Wise, in 1024. Although Mstislav could not take Kiev, he forced the East Slavic tribes dwelling to the east of the Dniester River to accept his suzerainty. Yaroslav the Wise also accepted the division of Kievan Rus' along the river after Mstislav had defeated him in a battle fought at Listven by Chernigov (presents-day Chernihiv, Ukraine). Mstislav transferred his seat to the latter town, and became the first ruler of the principality emerging around it. Early years Mstislav was one of the many sons of Vladimir the Great, Grand Prince of Kiev. His exact position in Vladimir's family is disputed, because Vladimir, who had seven wives and many concubines before his conversion, fathered two sons called Mstislav, according to the Primary Chronicle. One of them was born to Rogneda of Polotsk, who had been forced to be the first wife of Vladimir in the late 970s. The second Mstislav was born to a Czech woman. Historians debate whether the future prince of Tmutarakan and Chernihiv was the son of Rogneda or Vladimir's Czech wife: the first option is preferred by George Vernadsky, the second by Janet Martin.