Rebellion of Bardas Phokas the Younger

In 987 the general Bardas Phokas the Younger was proclaimed emperor by powerful eastern aristocrats opposed to Basil II. His revolt followed years of tension between the Macedonian emperors and military families with strong provincial armies, and rebel forces threatened Constantinople before concentrating on the strategic crossing at Abydos.

Basil secured military assistance from Vladimir of Kyiv in connection with a dynastic marriage and Vladimir’s conversion to Christianity. Rus troops helped defeat the rebel forces at Chrysopolis and Abydos; Phokas died during the decisive fighting in 989, after which Bardas Skleros negotiated his submission. The episode is important to the early history of the Varangian Guard.

Blood Feud brings its English and Viking protagonists into these campaigns and the political settlement between Basil and Vladimir.