His beautiful daughter Rogneda was affianced to Yaropolk, and they were soon to be married.

Vlademer sent embassadors to Rovgolod soliciting an alliance, and asking for the hand of his daughter.
The proud princess, faithful to Yaropolk, returned the stinging reply, that _she would never marry the son of a slave_.

We have before mentioned that the mother of Vlademer was not the wife of his father.
She was one of the maids of honor of Olga.

This insult roused the indignation of Vlademer to the highest pitch.

Burning with rage he marched suddenly upon Polotsk, took the city by storm, killed Rovgolod and his two sons and compelled Rogneda, his captive, to marry him, paying but little attention to the marriage ceremony.