Vladimir the Great

Vladimir the Great was Grand Prince of Kiev and the ruler associated with the Christianisation of Kievan Rus. His agreement with Basil II supplied thousands of Rus and Scandinavian warriors who helped defeat Byzantine rebels and contributed to the Varangian Guard.

Blood Feud portrays Vladimir gathering the fleet, negotiating with Basil II and committing his warriors to the Byzantine campaign. Vladimir, the alliance, conversion and marriage to Anna are historical; dialogue and the protagonists’ encounters with him are fictionalised.