Try to find in the early history of the east Slavs, and not only them, example, when two princes, - a father and his son - would governed the whole century. Someone can tell, that such couldn't be because, as a rule a prince didn't be on the throne more than a year. The one was killed by his brother, the other - by his nephews... But it could be.

From 1001 to 1044 Bryacheslav governed in Polotsk, and after his death up to 1101 - the most famous of the Polotsk prince Vseslav Bryacheslavovich, nicknamed as Charodey (Magician). And, we shall notice, he was nicknamed not without a reason.

His birth was covered by secret. As the annals say, mother gave birth to Vseslav "from magicians". On the head of the newborn there was a mysterious stain, which magicians ordered his mother to fasten, to the son would carried it till his death. Maybe, it was any wound or a large birthmark, with which the Heaven marks the elects? The contemporaries and descendants believed, that the prince was given by the magic forces. And he could turn to a grey wolf, a clear falcon or a deer with gold horns.

The legends about him were already composing during his life and were communicated from generation to generation. The Polotsk prince was a prototype of many hero of epics.

The annals testify, that the prince wore a band on his head all life. " Thirst blood by Vseslav " was ascribed the mysterious stain, hidden under the band. Charodey spilled really a lot of blood, however the most part of his government was given up to peace efforts. During twenty years he lived in the consent with the Kiev princes. Citizens of Polotsk helped him to be at war with nomads - the Turks. Vseslav erected a temple in honour of St Sofia in the 11-th century. It was Sofia's Cathedral. He wanted to prove equality of Polotsk with Novgorod and Kiev, where such cathedrals have appeared a little bit earlier. The citizens of Polotsk hadn't built stone temples before, therefore the prince invited Byzantian architects to the town. The local foremen mastered building secrets, too. Because it was impossible, that the main cathedral of Polotsk land was erected by hands of foreigners.

Width of the base of the Cathedral was from 1.5 to 2.5 meters. It almost conformed to thickness of the walls.

The Greek word "Sofia" means wisdom, skill. The ancestors explained it wider as great human brotherhood, which was incorporated by common cares and aspirations. The Cathedral should become a symbol of unity of all inhabitants of the Polotsk Principality. It was built by all community. The ancient Polotsk masters left us their names on a huge boulder: Davyd, Tuma, Mikula, Kopys, Varyshka. Now it is a museum exhibit.

Three sons of Yaroslav Mudry (Wise) -the Kiev prince - created union, which was aimed against the Polotsk Principality independence. Vseslav led three campaigns one after another in order to expand the principality. In 1065 he was at a war with Pskov, which he kept in siege, but he didn't take it. Next year Vseslav directed to Novgorod and revenged it for destruction of Polotsk in 980. A part of Novgorod was burned. Vseslav captured captives and removed bells from Novgorod Sofia's Cathedral. And, at last, in the beginning of 1067 he went to Novogrudok, whence he dislodged a group of citizens of Kiev, and subordinated the town to himself. He made a centre of the Polotsk colony on the Lithuanian Land.

Yaroslav's sons didn't like such activity of Vseslav. Them armies intruded on Polotsk land and the town of Mensk (Minsk) was their first victim. Vseslav acted from Novogrudok, too. And the battle took place on March 10. It became popular in the world, due to the genius of the author of " The Lay Of Igor's Host ". It is difficult to say how many soldiers were from each party, who was distinguished heroism, how many thousand didn't come back home; it is known only, that nobody win. Vseslav returned to Polotsk, and Yaroslav's sons had not forces for the pursuit.

In four months the opponents met again but for the peace negotiation. Its initiative was belonged Vseslav. The meeting held near Orsha. On the left bank of the Dnieper river Yaroslav's sons were, on the right one - Vseslav. He was with two sons. They crossed the river by a boat. A guarantee of his safety and inviolability was a word and kissing of a cross, which Yaroslav's sons made with people. However they forgot about the oath when Vseslav appeared, and the Polotsk prince and his sons were put in irons.

After that Yaroslav's sons went to Kiev, where they imprison them. As a matter of fact, the destiny of the prince was decided, because each minute Vseslav and his sons could be killed. And nevertheless Vseslav was lucky. He was as a prisoner more than a year. The revolt of citizens of Kiev against Izyaslav (one of Yaroslav's sons) brought him not only freedom, but also unexpected eminence. Vseslav was selected the Kiev prince and he held on on the throne in 8 months, and then he escaped to Polotsk.

Next three years Vseslav was exiled from Polotsk, concealed from Izyaslav's revenge, was at a war with Novgorod, collected militia, and, at last he returned himself the Polotsk throne. In 1076 Vseslav sustained in three campaigns of Vladimir Monomach.

After rough events Vseslav governed the Polotsk Principality in three decades. But he already calmed down, because he understand, that Kiev will not agree with the strengthening of Polotsk land and the more so can not endure its territorial increase at the expense of Smolensk, Novgorod or Turov lands. Therefore he led development of the historical Lithuanian lands.

Vseslav Charodey didn't see the destruction of the principality. He died in 1101. His government lasted for 57 years.