Ancient Rus', 12th century – a period of brutal internecine struggle of the princes of the Rurik dynasty. The young prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, the son of Yuri Dolgoruky and the grandson of Vladimir Monomakh, returns home from Byzantium, where he spent several years. His dream is to reign in his native Suzdal land, turning it into a new prosperous center of all of Rus'. And although Andrei's powerful father, the experienced Yuri Dolgoruky, sees his son as merely a submissive executor of his will, the heir to the grand princely throne declares himself an independent ruler. At first, all his plans are quickly realized: architects invited from Byzantium and Europe build white-stone churches, fortresses, and even entire new cities in the Suzdal principality; Orthodoxy is strengthened and trade flourishes. However, having become the most powerful ruler of Rus', Prince Andrei makes equally powerful enemies who weave a web of betrayal, conspiracies, and intrigues around him...
