According to Skylitzes, in 1024 a Rus' leader named Chrysocheir assembled 800 men and sailed to Constantinople, aiming to enlist in the Varangian Guard of Emperor Basil II (r. 976–1025).[1][2] This Chrysocheir was a relative of the late Kievan prince Vladimir of Kiev, who had married the Emperor's sister Anna.[1][2] His real name is unknown, and "Chrysocheir" is most likely a Greek translation of his name, meaning "gold-hand". Blondal proposed that it derived either from Old Norse Auđmundr, or from Old English Eadmund.[3][4]