Vladimir of Bulgaria

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Vladimir-Rasatte (Bulgarian: Владимир Расате) was the ruler of Bulgaria from 889 to 893.

He became prince of Bulgaria when his father Boris-Mikhail I decided to retire to a monastery after ruling for 36 years. According to some authors, the reason for this decision was purely religious, while according to others, the former khan was befallen by a disease.

The oldest of Michail's sons - Rasatte, bearing after the christianisation of the country in 862 the name Vladimir, was appointed to become the new prince. Vladimir-Rasatte did not enjoy the popularity his father had. In 892 AD he signed a treaty with the German king Arnulf of Carinthia against Great Moravia, and indirectly against the Byzantine Empire. This was a serious straying from the pro-Byzantian policy of the country in the previous 30 years. Another unpopular act was Vladimir’s attempt to restore paganism in the country and forbid Christianity. These actions lead to a widespread discontent among both commoners and nobility.

Vladimir did not have the opportunity to continue his policies, due to the fact that his father emerged from the monastery, and assumed the throne for a second time. In the meantime, Boris-Michail ordered his son be captured, and, according to some traditions, may be blinded, as punishment for his heretical deeds. After the sentence was carried out, Boris-Michail appointed his third son, Simeon to be the new prince.