Летописное сообщение 1136 г. и становление новгородской независимости

Slovĕne. 2022. Т. 11. № 2. С. 28–52.

Stefanovich P.

The author of the article gives a detailed analysis of the entry of 1136 of the Novgorod First Chronicle. The chronicle describes how the Novgorodians assembled for a veche and made a crucial political decision—they banished the
prince Vsevolod, brother of the ruling Kievan prince, and invited the prince Svyatoslav, who belonged to the competing clan of the Chernigov Riurikids. The author concludes that the entry was composed by two chroniclers—one who had worked under the Vsevolod’s rule, and the other one who continued working on the chronicle under the patronage of the Novgorod bishop Nifont since 1136. Based on the textual critics, the author explains several historical facts anew. He joins the opinion that the substitution of the princes in 1136 was indeed a milestone in formation of the republican system in medieval Novgorod. However, he shows that the break of Novgorod from Kiev turned out to be a complicated and painful experience. Bishop Nifont played a crucial role in the events of 1136
in Novgorod.

Keywords: Русь, Novgorod Chronicles, Новгородская летопись, средневековый Новгород, Rus', medieval Novgorod, political organization, политическая организация