Described as the grandson of Krum 1 and (correctly) father of Symeon 4, Vladimir 1 is named as ruler of the Bulgars (ἦν δὲ ἄρχων Βουλγαρίας Βαλδίμερ) in the reign of Theophilos 5 when the exiled "Macedonians" (Byzantines from Adrianople carried into captivity by Krum in 813) planned to return to the empire (the date was 836/838, see Basilios 7): Leo Gramm. 231, Georg. Mon. Cont. 818. Vladimir 1 was in fact a descendant of Krum 1 and ruler of the Bulgars later in the ninth century, from 889 to 893, when he was succeeded by his son Symeon 4. This passage in the chronicles derived from that of Symeon the logothete also names a Bulgar ruler Michael in connection with these same events under Theophilos 5 (which form part of the early history of the future emperor Basil I (Basilios 7)). Michael was the name adopted by the Bulgar ruler Boris I (852-889). The appearance in this context of the names of three Bulgar rulers of the late ninth century is certainly an error. The Bulgar rulers in the time of Theophilos 5 were Omortag (Omurtag 1; 814-831), Malamir (831-836; see Grumel, Chronologie, p. 388) and Presijan (Presiam 1; 836-852). Zonaras records an unnamed Bulgar ruler, successor of Krum 1, who after many defeats by the Romans made a peace and agreed to the release of the captives from Adrianople (among them, Basilios 7): Zon. XVI 6. 3 (τοῦ Κρούμου δὲ ἀποβεβιωκότος ἤδη ἕτερος τῆς ἀρχῆς τῶν Βουλγάρων ἐπείληπτο), placing this event in the pre-imperial career of Basilios 7, so before 867; cf. Omurtag 1. Vladimir is the unnamed son of Boris 1 who was escorted back to Bulgaria by the Serbs Branos 1 and Stephanos 159 after a defeat of the Bulgars by the Serbs: Const. Porph., DAI 32, 52.

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