Vasili Davidovich of Yaroslavl (1311-1345)

Vasili, in some literature Vasili Davidovich, in other literature Vasili Mikhailovich, nicknamed Horrible Eyes, groznye ochi (d 1345) was ruling prince of Jaroslavl 1321-45.

Vasili ruled the Jaroslavl principality at a time when Moscow was expanding and seeking supremacy over other principalities nearby (nrtheastern Russia). He succeeded duke David, who was made a saint of the orthodox church.

There are conflicting filiations in genealogical publications about his paternity.

Even the patronymic is not clear: depending on whichever one man is put as his father, he gets given patronymic accordingly, i.e. alternatives exist in literature.

It is anyway clear that Vasili was a direct male-line descendant of Saint Theodore the Black, duke of Mozhajsk (d 1298). But, not his son, instead he was either his grandson or great-grandson. The said ancestor, Theodore Rostislavich (Феодор Ростиславич Черный) was also declared a saint.

Such standard works as Europäische Stammtafeln band II (by Schwennicke), and Ikonnikov, place this Vasili as progeny of Mikhail Fedorovich (died in the 1280s; born in 1260s), the eldest son of saint Theodore the Black. Mikhail's son. Or grandson. On the other hand, some genealogies from Russia, would have this Vasili as son of his predecessor, duke David Fedorovich (the saint), a younger son of saint Theodore the Black.

In about 1330s, duke Vasili married Eudoxia, a  daughter of Ivan Kalita, Grand Prince of Moscow. However, the nrew son-in-law did not acknowledge the overlordship of Moscow. Instead, Vasili willfully called himself the Grand Prince of Jaroslavl.

Ivan Kalita's priority of the time was to break the power of Tver, which was a serious contender to Moscow.

In 1339 Khan Uzbek summoned to the Golden Horde two princes who opposed Ivan Kalita's demands: Alexander Mikhailovich of Tver and Vasilei of Jaroslavl. Ivan Kalita fearing that a joint action of these princes would cause trouble for him. Prince Romanchuk of Belozero was a third there.

A detachment of 500 men were sent to seize Vasili, but he with his men escaped from this and arrived safely to the Horde. But in the end the opponents of Kalita did not succeed to shake the Khan's confidence to the Moscow ruler.

In 1340 Ivan Kalita deceased. The princes of Tver, Jaroslavl and Suzdal (the latter was Konstantin) threw themselves as claimant to the overlotdship over the great prince's title and position. They sought the Horde to solve between them and to give investiture. However, Simon, son of the late Ivan kalita was the khan's choice ultimately.

Vasili had to accept and to recognize the primacy of the new Moscow prince. In the same year he, like all the other princes nearby, took part in the march in Moscow troops to Torzhok.

Vasili died in winter 1345 and was buried in the Transfiguration Cathedral in Jaroslavl Monastery of Our Saviour. From his marriage with Eudokia Ivanovna of Moscow, he had three sons: Vasili Vasilievich, prince of Jaroslavl; Hleb Vasilievich and Roman Vasilievich (who became the duke of Romanov). After the death of Vasili, the principality of Jaroslavl disintegrated into small principalities and completely succumbed to the power of Moscow.

sources

Titov AA "Jaroslavsky county. Historical and archaeological, ethnographic and statistical description. Moscow 1883

Vasil Davidovich on Rodovid

Ekzempljarsky AV, Vasili Davidovich Terrible, Collegiate Dictionary Brockhaus and Efron: In 86 volumes (82 tons and 4 additional).. - SPb.: 1890-1907.