The nobles could not but respect him as the most aged of their princes; as a man of imperial energy and ability, and as the one most worthy to be their chief.

He alone had the power to preserve tranquillity in extended Russia.

They therefore applied to him to take Kief, under certain restrictions, again into his protection, and to nominate for that city a prince who should be in his alliance.

This homage was acceptable to Andre.
But while he was engaged in this negotiation, a conspiracy was formed against the monarch, and he was cruelly assassinated.

It was the night of the 29th of June, 1174.