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Anne of Kiev

c. 1030 – 5 September c.1075

House: Volodimerovichi

Titles: Queen consort of the Franks, Regent of France

Anne of Kiev, also known as Anna Yaroslavna, was born around 1030 and passed away in 1075. She was a princess of Kievan Rus and ascended to the role of Queen of France upon her marriage to King Henry I in 1051. Following Henry’s death in 1060, Anne served as the regent for their son, Philip I, until her own controversial marriage to Count Ralph IV of Valois. She was also the founder of the Abbey of St. Vincent at Senlis.

Anne was the daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, Grand Prince of Kiev and Prince of Novgorod, and his second wife, Ingegerd Olofsdotter of Sweden. Her education, while not fully documented, is presumed to have been substantial, with her ability to sign her name in Cyrillic on a document from 1061 as evidence. Her marriage to Henry was instrumental in introducing the Greek name ‘Philip’ to Western European royalty, and she is associated with the Abbey of St. Vincent due to her significant financial contributions.

Notable events

  • c. 1030
    Birth in Kievan Rus as the daughter of Yaroslav the Wise and Ingegerd Olofsdotter.
  • 1049-1050
    Engagement and marriage negotiations with King Henry I of France.
  • 19 May 1051
    Marriage to King Henry I and coronation as Queen consort of the Franks.
  • 1060
    Begins regency for her son Philip I after the death of King Henry I.
  • 1061
    Controversial marriage to Count Ralph IV of Valois.
  • 1062
    Financial contribution and dedication of the Abbey of St. Vincent at Senlis.
  • 1063
    Inscription of Anne's name in a charter.
  • 1074
    Death of second husband, Count Ralph IV of Valois.
  • 1075
    Last documented signature of Anne, indicating her activity until near the end of her life.
  • 1089
    Document of Philip I indicates Anne's death prior to this year.

Other details

Death: Anne of Kiev died around 5 September 1075. Her burial place was disrupted during the French Revolution, and her final resting place remains uncertain.

Reign: 9 years and 77 days

Children: Philip I of France, Hugh I of Vermandois, Robert (died young), possibly Emma and Edigna.

Marriages: Henry I of France and Ralph IV of Valois.

Parents: Yaroslav the Wise and Ingegerd Olofsdotter.

Sources

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Compiled from various 3rd hand sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/