In 1997 this stamp featuring Princess Olga of the Ukraine was issued. Princess Olga, also known as Olga of Kiev, was known to be a very beautiful and strong woman. As such she drew the attention of men throughout the lands. Unfortunately for them she was quite happily married to Igor of Kiev and had a young son with him.

When their son was only three a rival tribe, the Drevlians, attacked Igor of Kiev and killed him in the hopes of convincing Olga to marry the Drevlian Prince Mal. Svyatoslav, their son, became the official ruler of Kievan Rus but was too young to rule so Olga became regent until such age he could take charge.

With Igor out of the picture it wasn’t long before Prince Mal made his move. He sent a boat with 20 emissaries to her to ask her to marry him. She promptly buried them alive, along with their boat, in a deep pit.

Undeterred, Prince Mal sent a group of noblemen to plead with her to marry him. She wined and dined them and invited them to her royal bath house where they were locked inside and burned alive.

Finally, she invited the Drevlians to a feast to honor her slain husband. During the feast, as they enjoyed their food and wine coma, she had her soldiers slaughter all 5000 of them.

Olga attacked the Drevlians and burned their town to the ground. She ruled from 945 to 963 until her son was old enough to take power. She was a very benevolent and kind ruler by all accounts and is known for her initiating the building of stone buildings in Russia. Maybe to keep them from being burned so easily.

She is also one of the first Russian rulers to adapt christianity and one of only 5 women to be canonized (sainted). She is the patron saint of widows.