Olga of Kiev: The Viking Saint of Russia

In today’s video we are covering our first Saint worshipped both by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, revered for having first introduced Christianity amongst the Rus. These were a pagan people of Nordic descent, who ruled over a vast land in the early Middle Ages, from the Baltic to the Black Sea. But her holy title should not fool you, as she did not dedicate her life solely to prayer and converting the heathen. This Saint was a ruler, the regent of the Principality of Kiev, and one of the most powerful women of the early Middle Ages.
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Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Arnaldo Teodorani
Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
Executive Producer - Shell Harris
Business inquiries to [e-mail]
Other Biographics Videos:
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• Robert Hanssen: The FB...
Source/Further reading:
The Primary Chronicle: ia600608.us.archive.org/10/it...
www.todayifoundout.com/index.p...
www.historyanswers.co.uk/medi...
www.ancient.eu/Kievan_Rus/

[@tavferry3301]

She was a tactical genius. A damn impressive story, this is.

[@allensaunders449]

She was a nut job murderer not that impressive

[@god3485]

Allen Saunders how many people would get the idea to let pigeons burn down a whole village?

[@stormstaunch6692]

Impressive? Certainly. Immoral? Also certainly.

[@ShannonCarter55]

@@allensaunders449 so was Mohammed but we aren't allowed to mention that.

[@elusive6119]

So to get out of an essentially hopeless situation, it's brilliant. She had no choice. She did not have full power, she and her son would simply have been killed, de facto power in the city already belonged to the murderers of her husband. Ambassadors should not be executed, blood should not be spilled, and guests should be treated with respect. So they were just buried alive. That's why, at the edge of the pit, she asked, " Is my respect enough for you?" (troll 80 lvl) It is also necessary to celebrate the trizna. They performed this ritual. And only then did the voivode of the squad accept the order from the 6-year-old prince-go ahead. The prince threw a spear specially made for his hand. The squad could not listen to the woman's orders, but at this moment she became the regent who spoke on behalf of her son. And they, by order of the prince, made a massacre, allowing the fear to go away with those whom they had let go. The siege technique with the use of birds, a very old tactic used by the Vikings. Helga knew that. Yes, not Olga, but Helga! She had excellent teachers... Her son later surpassed her in tactical skill as a voivode, but was betrayed by the Byzantines and killed in an ambush.

[@hannahstahl1857]

Yeah, she was a badass and should have her own movie

[@ORaddlyispissedoff]

Ahmed Sayed Mosbeh shut up Muslim

[@ORaddlyispissedoff]

Ahmed Sayed Mosbeh I neither understand nor want to understand your bum language so I guess whatever you’re trying to offend me with won’t really be of any importance, Mohammedan

[@annstillwell730]

I agree.

[@demonduckofdoom7300]

There is one. 1984's The Legend of Princess Olga.

[@quaweeguy]

@@ORaddlyispissedoff lol you got triggered by a YT comment.

[@elisabethnordin]

1. The Witcher's queen Meve inspired by Olga 2. Tolkien's king Theoden's end inspired by Oleg's 3. Red Wedding in GoT inspired by Red Funeral

[@Nick-rs5if]

George R. R. Martin has stated that the primary sources for inspiration on the Red Wedding was the Glencoe Massacre and the Black Dinner.

[@GabrielPintoMusic]

@@Nick-rs5if correct

[@thenablade858]

I don’t think either Tolkien or George knew much about Kievan Rus. George’s history knowledge seems to be Rome/Western Europe and Tolkien NEVER said he was influenced by any Medieval event (He was, of course, influenced by WW1).

[@ElliotJ-yc8sg]

@@thenablade858I don’t know if the original comment is accurate but both authors likely knew a lot about Russ as both were Avid historians, well not so much Tolkien but he did love languages and folklore which comes from all of Europe including Russia and Eastern European nations.

[@EzioIlMentore]

Her baby boy throwing the spear and initiating the battle sounded adorable af. 😂😂

[@cultofsmokey530]

yes it did lol

[@AtaMarKat]

Olga: * watching smoldering ruins * “Apology accepted, Prince Mal of Dereva.”

[@evalinanegus4608]

I was so inspired by her she is going to be part of a stain glass sleeve I'm going to have done

[@wesmercredi3406]

I’ve heard of her in a book about Vikings, and she instantly became one of my favourite women of history

[@user-dc2hs9lt2m]

She was a complete suka.

[@dmitritelvanni4068]

Yeah she's impressive but I can't help but count Catherine II as the greatest. I mean cmon, from Crimea to Alaska. Unprecedented Size, and she handled it with surprising grace.

[@biglocc2209]

@@dmitritelvanni4068 u should never talk about a woman’s weight

[@dmitritelvanni4068]

@@biglocc2209 lol you win the internet dude. But I mean no disrespect. There are but two women I'd simp for. Good old Katerina II, and Sarah Palin. Idk what it is about women who kill things. Just gets me goin..

[@kraanz]

@@dmitritelvanni4068 Two absolutely horrible people, great choice.

[@pitchforker3304]

Prince Igor watching Olga from Heaven First vengeance: That's my girl! Second vengeance: Well that wraps things up nicely. Third vengeance: Um wow. Have I told you I love you, um... kitten?

[@mrpink8951]

The definition of "vengeance" should have Olga's name next to it.

[@gardensofthegods]

And her picture

[@ElviSpeareTV]

She was so mad because they Kievians and Drevlians intermarried. Her son married Malusha, a daughter of Prince of Drevlians. They were family.

[@killcharge4338]

If I'm not mistaken she is the saint of vengeance

[@sisterspooky]

Drevlians: _+We have the upper hand+_ Olga: Here…hold my Mead

[@SilenTHerO78614]

*vodka

[@user-lo3hi4mg8m]

​@@SilenTHerO78614 we learned about Vodka only in the 14th century. In the 9th-13th centuries, our ancestors preferred Mead.

[@SilenTHerO78614]

@@user-lo3hi4mg8m fair point, still ive never heard of a modern Russian who prefers drinking mead.

[@user-lo3hi4mg8m]

​@@SilenTHerO78614 Vodka is cheaper and stronger than Mead, so Russians loved it more :) Mens in Russia drink mostly strong alcoholic drinks, because weak drinks are considered "too feminine".

[@SilenTHerO78614]

@@user-lo3hi4mg8m shame, mead isnt half bad. Might not be as strong as vodka or spirytus, but it tastes good and does the job well enough.

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

*Drevlians* : This is blasphemy. This is madness. *Olga* : This....is......Olga!

[@AftermathRV]

Shes a kievan rus, so that wouldnt work more like Drevlians: THis is blasphemy. This is madness. Olga: No.....This olga....Cyka knulla.

[@DefneDance]

Lol

[@hewhoneverdies001]

THIS. IS. RUS!!!

[@JasonDoe1000]

The Drevlians killed her husband so in response she kills most of them to avenge her husband and protect her child Kinda sounds like a relationship goal

[@user-dc2hs9lt2m]

Drevlians are ancient proto-Ukrainian tribe. Russians are a curse for Ukrainians.

[@arsenalhistory5570]

@Mo Fuggar these are judgments on modern States, then they merged into Russia,the last time the Drevlyans are mentioned in the chronicle of 1136, when the Grand Duke Yaropolk Vladimirovich gave the former lands of the Drevlyans in favor of the tithe Church. Since then, the name drevlian forever disappears from history, and the people themselves finally merges with the rusichs.

[@wisemankugelmemicus1701]

Yes. That is the woman men need. I honestly don't know if many women nowadays would do that. They'd take their pity points and welfare and move somewhere else.

[@bradleymoore2797]

@@wisemankugelmemicus1701 If only it were still easy to get away with killing people...right?

[@xanshen9011]

Wisemankugel Memicus Nah, they just cheat on their husbands and steal half their stuff

[@passing.by.the.river.]

She was totally ruthless, merciless, and intelligent. Like any other great rulers. And she scares me 😱😂

[@gamingthisera6339]

Don't mess with her then

[@hawk6111]

A true viking. She simply avenged her husband and the insult to her by thinking she wasn't loyal to him

[@user-dc2hs9lt2m]

Bloody Communist bitch.

[@NikkiDocherty74]

@@hawk6111hell yes.

[@gullybull5568]

THE ISLAM RUN LIKE DOG FROM THE WHIP.

[@EzioIlMentore]

Did Olga just daughter-zoned the Byzantine Emperor???? LMFAOOO

[@lilbluridinghood6296]

You can almost hear the mic-drop. "Sorry, you're father now, I can't marry you." *Sound of feedback*

[@hagamapama]

@@lilbluridinghood6296 With that said, I certainly can't blame the emperor for being infatuated. She's a hell of a woman, just not meant for him in the end.

[@user-eh1tv9pj2d]

3:05 Thats a wrong Novgorod. You showed Nizniy Novgorod(Lower Novgorod), a much younger city, while Ruriks capital was in Velikiy Novgorod(Great Novgorod), which is closer to Saint Petersburg.

[@ilpazzo1257]

Thank you for pointing it out, I could have done it myself but I only noticed because of too much EU4 and that would have made me feel bad.

[@1fedwinri]

*buried alive--The forward score of emissaries were buried alive.

[@Saltiren]

I paused to take another look at this, yeah Rurik settled near Ladoga according to most sources I've read.

[@lukasjansen1815]

preach the word!

[@adamradziwill]

edition: Olga of Kiev: The Viking Saint of Ukraine, "Russia " is a mongol state (ulus of juchi) , buy a map guys

[@vincenthaegebaert1854]

It's refreshing to hear a bit of history from this VERY overlooked part of Europe, would love to see more of this. As a side note, my family can prove decent from the Rurik, and my mother, Olga, is named after her ancestor Princess Olga, having seen her chase a bear out of her garden with nothing more than shrieking curses and a corn broom, it would appear the name fits too.

[@dremin7902]

You can prove the decent from Rurik, while historians doubt his existence...?

[@fructosecornsyrup5759]

That. Is badass.

[@dehjkliproductionse4222]

@@dremin7902 the rurikid dynasty still existed

[@dremin7902]

@@dehjkliproductionse4222 true. Yet, it’s also questionable if they can prove it (being decedents) for obvious reasons.

[@diegoapalategui579]

Same here i descend From Ana of Kiev,. JAroslaw the Wise etc...including Olga.

[@olgamamiacheva1642]

I am so happy that more and more people are learning about my Patron Saint! Today the Orthodox Church is celebrating St.Olga’s day! Happy name day to all Olgas!St.Olga! Pray for those who remember you!( July,24)

[@noneofyobiznizz9516]

Thank you for sharing. That's interesting.

[@mrrey3481]

Ah, yes, finally some propper slavic history. Gives me flashbacks from my school. Thank you, for doing justice to the history of my country!

[@Yoder023]

Holy Heaven she was a genius!!! Why have I never heard of her??? That's all VERY impressive, especially the flipping of her last "suitor"

[@lelupus]

She is the embodiment of the saying, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

[@dr.klausschwab6184]

Saint Olga pray and Intercede for us🙏🏼☦☦☦

[@cellardoor5564]

I am in awe of her and how she commanded armies with absolute genius to devastating effect. Considering it was the middle ages I'm even more impressed! Had to hit like when learning how she outwitted the Byzantines (like all of her opponents). Amazing 👌🙌

[@lagitanavderoscio]

Olga was fierce. Her driving force was her love for her son.

[@andriesoliviier9529]

"The Red Funeral". Too much even for GoT

[@goliath1179]

I love coming back to this video. Saint Olga is my hero.

[@niac9568]

She was a ruthless and powerful woman. I love the Biographics about women!

[@oweno4478]

She was the real life inspiration for the red wedding I’m guessing 😂

[@nikolajankovic96]

And burning of King's Landing by Mad Queen

[@annstillwell730]

Yeah or maybe the inspiration for Arya.

[@gothempress]

Or the inspiration for all of the above, lol

[@atheistsgod]

Mother of Sparrows? Dragons or Sparrows. XD

[@gothempress]

@@atheistsgod I caught that too!!!! 😆

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:15 - Chapter 0 - The kievan rus 4:15 - Chapter 1 - The slaying of a prince 8:05 - Chapter 2 - A feast of mead 10:25 - Chapter 3 - Revenge is a dish best served on fire 13:45 - Chapter 4 - A new faith

[@calicocat6571]

Interesting video. But as a swede and viking and living in Riga and knowing the russian language somewhat I think Anna of Novgorod is an even more known saint. She even has a pilgrimage route named after her in Sweden that goes between Stockholm and Uppsala, it is called the route of Saint Ingegerd. Yes, Ingegerd Olofsdotter (her father Olof Skötkonung was the first christian king of Sweden) was her maiden name after being married off to Kiev, then she took the name Anna. She was as far as I know a genuine peacekeeper after her housebands, Jeroslav of Kievs death and was buried in Novgorod. However her grave is lost. She also initiated the constructions of cathedrals both in Kiev and Novgorod.

[@spirosvelliniatis2165]

Olof=ulof , from ulfila(small ulf =wulf?), ulfila the Christian apostle of the Goths!king Olaf also a viking Saint! Oliver etc same route

[@arsla5308]

зато я впевнина що ви не знаєте руської мови(українська та білоруська) або тимпаче новгородського діалекту(бо він був винещиний московитами). Тому ви точно не говорете так, як вона колись

[@elfhybrid9063]

I first heard of Olga in TopTenz, then learned a little more in TIFO, and now I am SO happy to go a little more in depth on Biographics!

[@alchemygarlet1542]

also check out Sam O' Nella's video ;)

[@justincarnes1656]

Olga is one of my favorite historical figures!

[@thomaswateren3967]

Hello Simon. Quick correction. The area you showed on the map You named Novgorod is actually Nizhny Novgorod. Rurik had his forts set in the area of Novgorod much farther north, not far from Saint Petersburg.

[@numberpirate]

Nizhny is the prefix for "lower" correct?

[@thomaswateren3967]

@@numberpirate yes. It can mean that both longitude wise or by elevation. But also it just means low as in opposite to vysoky, which means high.

[@Gizzatow]

Правильное замечание.Новгород был ближе к Балтике и европейским рынкам знаменуя собой финал известного торгового маршрута из варяг в греки и покрывая большие пушные вотчины северных морей.Нижегородская область же в то время была дикой глухоманью,которая попала во внимание русских князей лишь через пару столетий.

[@MonteCristoAUS]

Would you ever consider doing a biography of Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians? She was the daughter of Alfred the Great and aunt and mentor to Athelstan, whom she helped to defeat the Vikings and create a united England. Might I suggest Tom Holland's recent biography of Athelstan as a source. Thanks

[@warwickeng5491]

Saint Olga must have been like - "Turning the other cheek is overated, I'd rather turn the pidgeons and sparrows into weapons of war" ahahah mad lass

[@carloshuerta782]

Exactly. Turning the other cheek should not be used at all times, especially when the future of your people is at stake

[@moctarfofana392]

19:29 "She is probably the only mass murdering saint in history..." interesting, and colorful description

[@KondratovSerhii]

Volodymyr the Great raped his brother's bride in front of her parents an brothers before killing them and his own brothers. And he is considered to be saint.

[@ninjaked1265]

Сергей Кондратов in which church

[@thesuddendemise7735]

Mo Fuggar Eastern Orthodox, Byzantine Rite Lutheran and Roman Catholic All also have date called the feast of St. Vladimir on 15 July. He also has a Cathedral in Kiev. THE MORE YOU KNOW🌈🌟

[@thesuddendemise7735]

NinjaKED12 Eastern Orthodox, Byzantine Rite Lutheran and Roman Catholic All also have date called the feast of St. Vladimir on 15 July. He also has a Cathedral in Kiev. THE MORE YOU KNOW🌈🌟

[@thesuddendemise7735]

Сергей Кондратов He also allowed his people to attack Christians. What the hell are the qualifications to be a saint?!

[@russellwortham2902]

Olga sounded like a bad a. Thanks for sharing all these people in a modern context.

[@omar_elattar.6500]

Yes!! I was waiting for someone like this. Maybe we could see more of these. Rurik, Oleg, Vladimir, Igor are all interesting figures. One day!

[@lindseymarie7923]

please do Irena Sendler she saved 2500 children from the warsaw Ghetto or Geertruida Wijsmuller who save 10,000 by sending them to England on Kinderstransport.

[@alexandrub8786]

Or Traian Popovici with 20.000

[@cv4809]

Sound like boring and lame stories

[@davidgreen5099]

@@cv4809 I can watch soap operas anytime.

[@frogpalpeeper4249]

@@cv4809 You sound like a neonazi

[@daniellarkins3849]

@@cv4809 How is that boring?

[@MrWizHq]

3:07 Wrong map, this is Nizhniy Novgorod, not Velikiy Novgorod

[@hewhoneverdies001]

Biographics often gets maps wrong

[@kateajurors8640]

@Mississippi Ditch Fisher Yeah he is running a lot of channels and still brings enough attention to the topic of which many do not and would not know of. I enjoy them too and even the corrections in the comments.... Wait, Maybe .... That's how he tricks us into giving more comments *shockithed*

[@AlexandraStarr1974]

Oh this is the one i have been waiting for, you already covered our Iceni queen Boudicca, and now Olga has been given thw biographics seal of approval =) you guys are awesome, keep up the good work simon, you might need a trim =p

[@matthieugrosjean1215]

Actually, St Paul (Saül) killed/persecuted also several Christians before becoming (for most of the Christians) the 2nd most important saint after St Peter (Simon). Like St Olga. This shows the power of redemption/pardon granted by God and expressed by his Church. Which is an important base of the Christian religion... Thanks for your great videos!

[@thehumanconsensus]

Wasn't aware we had a ranking system. Where would Gabriel and Michael be on this chart?

[@johnfrancis6413]

@@thehumanconsensus GarbriEl , MichaEl, RaphaEl , UriEl are archangels

[@thehumanconsensus]

@@johnfrancis6413 IEL. They are referred to saints as well so again... Why do we have a ranking system of saints?

[@johnfrancis6413]

@@thehumanconsensus not iel . It's EL , El stands for God. Angles are considered as sons of God Hebrew:"El" . So each of them have El at the end of their name. And each of their names corresponds to a characteristic of God . Gab means strength Gabriel means strength of God . Rapha means heal Raphael means God heals . Micha means "who is like?" Michael means who is like God . Uri means my light Uriel means My light is God . Highest orders: Seraphim Cherubim Thrones Middle orders: Dominions Virtues Powers Lowest orders: Principalities Archangels Angels You can recognise some of the orders like Seraphim ,Isaiah 6:2 Cherubim Exodus 25:20 Thrones Colossians 1:16 Archangel 1 Thessalonians 4:16 And some others are not explicitly mentioned in scriptures but they are alluded to and are eloborated by theologians and Church Fathers . As to why God created in such a fashion only God can know.

[@thehumanconsensus]

@@johnfrancis6413 you must be great at parties... You know I replied with more than 3 letters... and there are 7 archs

[@KingofAwesomness14]

oh this is going to be good! Extra history made me ready for this! "Legend of Olga, Strap in Ya'll!!"

[@Sorcerers_Apprentice]

Like Legend of Zelda, if Zelda's personal motto were 'Fire and Blood'.

[@KingofAwesomness14]

@@Sorcerers_Apprentice and she could do things!

[@jakobraahauge7299]

That was awesome, thank you guys! I believe the chronicles express Olga's political brilliance in the political reality she herself in. And I also think that these tales also shows how Norse culture was infused with Byzantine written traditions, legal argumentation and that Byzantine craftsmanship of propaganda - her story is very similar to Norse sagas with their emphasis on glorifying their fledgling dynasties to stabilise and legitimise their power.

[@danielalozovska2050]

An amazing video! I am Ukrainian, so I already knew this story well, but I can't compliment you enough. Your storytelling skills are great. You're very engaging. Thank you from a new sub!

[@bradlemmond]

Слава Україні! Героям слава!

[@danielalozovska2050]

@@bradlemmond Смерть ворогам-рашистам!

[@user-xq8ej1cz3n]

Мені теж сподобалось але тільки те що в назві він каже що вона російська не дуже подобається

[@d.c.930]

Almost 1 million subscribers! Wow! Good job Simon and crew 👍 Keep up the great content

[@popded]

Daenerys, Arya and Cersei rolled in one...

[@zachfox5969]

Or just Olga.

[@lkcdarzadix6216]

she's real not fiction

[@monstercrx]

As most of Game of Thrones is based on European history, some characters development probably draws inspiration from Olga

[@asddsdsssd]

@@lkcdarzadix6216 bet you're real fun at parties...

[@MrRinoHunter]

@@asddsdsssd Yea, I bet he is.

[@cocainecarl7814]

I am watching the vikings right now and in season 6 they cover the viking descendants in Kiev. Awesome video 👌

[@omar_elattar.6500]

Illegal Kebab It is historically inaccurate but yes I’m so glad Vikings covered the Rus’. Oleg, Dir, Askold and Igor are such great characters.

[@GoldenPhil]

Yes Vikings season 6 rocks.

[@edgarratsep3631]

Vikings 6 season is a dissapointment at its best. Rus people are showed as if we are some kind of tribe from Caucasus, no light hair, skin, eyes... Talking about Mongolian invasion 400 years sooner.

[@ZachThom9]

Edgar Rätsep agree, the simplifications in Vikings are really bad.

[@christopherjensen794]

I've heard the story before, but this telling was superb! Well done!

[@DenitaArnold]

St. Olga The Badass ⛪

[@kellysunserenity4068]

The phrase "Hell have no fury like a woman scorned" definitely applies to Olga

[@owenparris7490]

Fun fact about Novgorod: a space station in the Aliens universe is also named Novgorod, continuing the series tradition of naming deep space stations after historical cities, like Sevastopol in Alien: Isolation.

[@canichawa2242]

Keep up the good work Simon you've taught me a lot about people I never knew about despite studying history my whole life 👍

[@evilwillhunting]

Olga's paybacks really sound like things that would happen in a Looney Tunes cartoon. Dumping people in boats into trenches then burying them, using birds to set houses on fire -- sounds like something Bugs would do to Yosemite Sam.

[@olayinkaamara385]

Do one on King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom reigning between 1901 to 1910, I've always been fascinated by them particularly Queen Alexandra.

[@ivansalamon7028]

Damn, I feel ignorant. Never ever knew there was a queen Alexandra. Haven't heard of her, even in passing, and I like my history. Strange that such an atypic name for a monarch would go under the radar.

[@olayinkaamara385]

@@ivansalamon7028 Don't worry about it, I didn't know much about herself in depth myself until January of last year. I came across her through a six part European monarchy series produced back in 2003 titled "A Royal Family".

[@SirWilliamKidney]

"Dear Scandinavian Vikings, please come rule over our country. Love, the people of Kiev." ... something tells me that's a conversation that maybe perhaps didn't happen exactly like that...

[@user-qe9tr9gp6b]

The people of Novgorod invited him. Not Kiev.

[@placebodomingo9989]

@@user-qe9tr9gp6b Where is Your portrait, Dorian?

[@frank2223]

It is a myth created by the Anglo-Germans, to inflate German Nationalism and say that the Slavs were unable to govern themselves, because they were "inferior"

[@arsla5308]

Русь вже існувала як союз племен ще до вікінгів, але вони пообіцяли охороняти їх від інших за гроші. Саме правителем вперше стала Ольга, після того як запровадила податкову систему

[@nemeceka]

My sister has been researching our genealogy and told me to look up our ancestor, St. Olga. This is so cool. I am sure tons of folk are descended from her but, damn, I'm proud of how she put the fear of HER into those who might be a threat to her son. As a mom, I appreciate her thoroughness.

[@hagamapama]

She is Mother Russia.

[@VsevolodSidorenko]

@@hagamapama Kievan Rus is Ukraine. and ruzzias real name is moscowy the craphole

[@user-jm5eq3no7p]

@@VsevolodSidorenkoUkraine, Belarus, and part of modern Russia. Definitely not Russian though

[@James7995]

She was very detail oriented

[@AndrewRedskin]

She is my 34th great grandmother

[@joanth1987]

Hey Simon, love the content of your channels. I am really keen to see you do an episode on the mathematician, John Nash. Looking forward to seeing more of your fab work!

[@truetory6231]

I would love to see a movie about her but I know Hollywood would never make it for several reasons. 1. She was an Orthodox saint and godless Hollywood would no doubt not want to promote her strong Christian convictions 2. Her most famous act of badassery was done in revenge due to her love for her late husband. Such a romantic motivation for her actions would completely undermine Hollywood's feminist narrative 3. Let's not forget that she was Russian and given the political climate, no way that Hollywood would ever portray any Russian in a positive light. Especially not an Orthodox Christian Russian.

[@xxGhostXIIIxx]

"mother of sparrows" i see what you did there Simon lol

[@laurenbee6340]

Always love your videos since I learn something new about a person I may not have known about otherwise! Great video

[@roeostare]

I've been waiting for a detailed Olga of Kiev video!

[@rshof]

3:07 Wrong Novgorod! There's Veliky ("Great") Novgorod in the northwest and there's Nizhni ("Lower") Novgorod on the Volga. You highlighted the modern-day Nizhni Novgorod Oblast of the Russian Federation. "Novgorod" simply means "New City" so it's no big surprise there's more than one. The Novgorod Oblast you're looking for is the one with the little lake right to the east of the one that's bordering Estonia, Latvia, and Belarus.

[@Object-Impermanence-Official]

Wait, it's means new city? Omg, I can't believe I never realized...

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

@@Object-Impermanence-Official Well Gorod refers to the walls around it IIRC... so it can be castle/burgh OR city... wich makes serbian Belgrade "White Castle" ;-p

[@Object-Impermanence-Official]

@@Ugly_German_Truths oh, I had no idea! I always thought it just meant city/town! :)

[@rshof]

@@Object-Impermanence-Official Well it did originally mean a place behind walls (cognate of "yard" and the various Scandinavian "-gards") and then some Slavic languages generalised it to "city/town" and some didn't. Russian did, as did Serbian so I think Belgrade parses more as "white city" after all. Czech did not, so "hrad" is their word for castle.

[@Object-Impermanence-Official]

@@rshof cool! Thanks for enlightening me! :) I woukd never have guessed since my family has oonky ever used it in teh context of city/town

[@claudeforbes2301]

Wow, what a revenge for her late husband. "Clever girl."

[@victordjamirze3300]

I loved this , well done 👍🏻

[@thenonqualifiedevangelist2592]

I watch a ton of your stuff and enjoy all of it but this one’s commentary was really good!

[@zardoz_ii2061]

Whenever someone calls a woman "The Queen of Mean", Olga just steps up and does a mic drop.

[@victorcabanelas]

Now, I don't believe in marriage, but if my eventual wife'd avenge me like that, I'd probably change my mind. Great work as always, folks, keep up the great work! Unrelated, but anytime I hear the word "Dnipro", I start chanting. Too bad they lost that final of the Europa League...

[@jamesharrington4752]

Thank you very much for a most informative and enjoyable video.

[@deniseroe5891]

One bad ads princess. As I have said before, I learn more from Biographics and Geographics than in school. Good video.

[@SofiaGaming]

please do one about Queen (more commonly known as King) Tamar of Georgia!

[@arsla5308]

Може Тамара?

[@olgamamiacheva1642]

Never heard of Queen Tamar being called King! Interesting 🤨

[@inho5399]

Simon, you specified the wrong novgorod. You mentioned Nizhny Novgorod (lower Novgorod), while Novgorod Rurik ruled in was actually Veliky Novgorod, next to Finland.

[@World_Wide_Web_Wyyzrd]

Here from Count Dankula... Expect more of these Simon.

[@anastasiarogers7287]

I been waiting on you to do this one this is my favorite revenge story in history

[@cynthiawalson5269]

What a woman! Thanks for posting. Possibly a relative of mine lol.

[@chasewilson1954]

shes my 35th great grandmother we love this

[@AngelLivesMatter]

🙏🌎🌹🗝️

[@takeminakata3317]

I never get tired of listening to stories about this woman, she is downright brutal and merciless...I love it!

[@lalaloveyou5186]

I absolutely love 💕 your videos I just wish that you had a series where you talk slower. I keep on having to rewind and watch things over and over

[@redheadredneck]

I got a few good ideas 1) Micheal Collins- The Irish Rebel 2) Doc Holiday- The Huckleberry 3) StoneWall Jackson- Hero of the South (Pls send feedback)

[@ayliea3974]

Woohoo Olga!!! I think I found a new role model! Or maybe I'll fantasize that I was Olga in a past life.

[@rinabird9365]

Very interesting! Many thanks! 🙂

[@vickilindberg6336]

Great story telling!

[@theteacher7619]

Hi There Simon, Could you please dedicate a video to be about the real "Good King Wenceslas", That would be Awesome!!! :-)

[@LocalHeretic-ck1kd]

I second this suggestion.

[@BTFOOMNY]

Simon, here's a challenge: Major William Martin, The Man Who Never Was

[@romelnegut2005]

Operation Mincemeat.

[@BTFOOMNY]

@@romelnegut2005 yup

[@dANbRnL]

No, let's do one on Captain Kirk

[@BTFOOMNY]

@@dANbRnL huh?

[@ElviSpeareTV]

She is one of my 37th great grandmothers. Her son married Malusha Malkovna whose father was Prince of Drevlians, (circa 918-980) from a line of Prince of Drevlians. Which explains why she was so mad that they killed her husband Igor, my 37th great grandfather. They were family. They were relatives. Malusha and her husband, the Grand Prince of Kiev, had at least one son, Prince of Kiev Vladimir I Svyatoslvich. Malusha's birthdate is unknown but their son was born in 957. Olga's granddaughter, Anna of Kiev, Queen Consort of the Franks, married my 33rd great grandfather, Henry I King of France.

[@tsif3722]

your videos are awesome!

[@agravain9006]

The Virgin Red Wedding vs The Chad Red Funeral

[@ryankellas1349]

Simon- "she didn't take well to suitors" Me- "hold my last will and testament"

[@markadams7597]

Great vid, as usual. Love your insight and your whit. Olga/Helena is fun to learn about. Just think how she might have changed history had she married Constantine 7th. Keep up the good work. Ty.

[@sashap5747]

On your map there when you showed Novgorod, you mixed the Nizhny Novgorod and the Velikiy (great) Novgorod. The one you needed to show is much further to the north-west

[@RickRobinCagnaan]

St. Olga in pop culture: the webcomic "Sister Claire" by Elena Barbarich and Ash Barnes has a character named Olga.

[@explorer1968]

Like Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, Olga, ruler of Kiev, did kill quite a number of her enemies and behaved ruthlessly. But when she converted to Christianity she changed to a more prudent stance without losing her touch, and she opened the way for the total conversion to the Christan faith of the Kievan Rus people, ancestors to Russia, Ukraine, and Bielorussia.

[@arsla5308]

насправді нажаль вони не є предками росіян. Бо їх предки не люди з царства Московія, вони не можуть були предками Русі просто тому що винищили все населення Новгороду

[@pooq6611]

@Arsla И где ты нашёл машину времени? Надо же так часто перемещался в эту эпоху и все выяснил🧐А что было до Египта узнай чтоль кто построил пирамиды.

[@ianentwistle5052]

Some saint! Again great job Simon.

[@Strawild]

Watching this today, has a different perspective to it.

[@avizokhatsu8793]

She needs her own frigging movie

[@brianruzicka5270]

I'm part bohemian and would like to know a little more about bohemian history. If at some point to do a segment on bohemian would be cool. Love you channels

[@atheistsgod]

That intro though man. Damn. So good. People should hire you to do intros for people at award ceremonies.

[@beachgirl1947]

Great video, as always. She is my fave ancestor....truly....so proud to be sharing this woman’s dna .

[@MrBrunoUSA]

I remember reading about her in a book I had once called "Saints Behaving Badly"

[@chantelles3641]

Mother of sparrows 🤣🤣🤣 Did not see that coming. Epic story telling!! Thank you

[@hagamapama]

In a very real way, Olga WAS Mother Russia.

[@GodsChild100]

Here's the thing I want to watch so many of these videos but I can't this man talks at a fast pace and in monotonous tone when it comes down to to it. Bless HIS HEART!!!!

[@user-ln5lo2li3c]

The Vikings subdued the Slavs very brutally and in another 300 years the Mongols subdued the Russians. What a great history!