Since owning towns was one of the main sources of princely power, control of domains had been one of the main bones of contention between the Ol′govichi and the Davidovichi in their rivalry for supremacy in the dynasty. Later, a similar rivalry arose among the Ol′govichi. We have seen that Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich of Chernigov, the first senior prince of the fourth generation, refused to hand over to Oleg Svyatoslavich of Novgorod Severskiy the domains that he had promised. This was the first occasion after the 1140s, when Igor′ and Svyatoslav had argued over domains with their brother Vsevolod of Kiev, that the Ol′govichi quarreled among themselves over territorial allocations. In this rivalry, the senior prince of the senior branch was pitted against the senior prince of the cadet branch. Nevertheless, after Svyatoslav occupied Chernigov, Oleg refrained from immediately challenging him over his breach of promise.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS

For the next few years an atmosphere of peace settled on the Chernigov lands. It was highlighted by dynastic births, marriages, and deaths. On June 29, 1164, Oleg Svyatoslavich married Agafia the daughter of Rostislav Mstislavich of Kiev. His first wife, the daughter of Yury Dolgorukiy, had evidently died. After losing his personal tie with the dynasty of Suzdalia, it is not surprising that Oleg chose his second wife from the House of Smolensk since, as we have seen, four years earlier Rostislav had demonstrated a special fondness for him.