Nikon chronicle is the largest historical monument of the 16th century. It is interesting in that it contains the most complete list of events in Russian history that are not found in other handwritten sources.
In addition, the book contains information about neighboring peoples, which determined the interest of scientists in this code. It had a great influence on the annals of our country, since it is the most complete among other similar works.
Introduction to scientific circulation
The Nikon Chronicle became known to the general public thanks to the well-known researcher V. N. Tatishchev, who used it when writing his main work on the history of Russia. He gave a brief description of this important monument, noting that it was brought to 1630 and signed by Patriarch Nikon.
In the second half of the 18th century, the source was published by Schlozer and Bashilov, who used the manuscript of their predecessor as the basis. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, a new publication was carried out, and new lists were involved. In pre-revolutionary historiography, the Nikon Chronicle was studied very actively.
The scientists paid the main attention to the sources that served as the basis for writing it. Interest in it did not fade even in Soviet times. During this period, the researchers also determined the time and place of its compilation, established the identity of the author, and also conducted an in-depth analysis of the socio-political situation of the era in which it arose.
About the author and his views
The Nikon chronicle was compiled on the initiative of Metropolitan Daniel, who held this post in 1522-1539. He was fond of ancient literature, had access to ancient manuscripts and showed interest in general Russian affairs. In addition, he was interested in political history, supported the actions of the Moscow rulers. Therefore, the monument compiled under his leadership is imbued with an all-Russian character, which determined its significance in socio-political thought.
At the center of attention of the compiler were many topical and important problems of his time. Among them, a prominent place was occupied by the question of the property status of the metropolis and the relationship of spiritual and secular authorities. In addition, Daniel was interested in the cooperation of Russia and Lithuania, as well as the history of his homeland - the Ryazan principality. He also gave a great place to the fight against heresy.
Sources
The Nikon Chronicle, whose name originated from the name of the patriarch of the 17th century, was actually compiled in the previous century. Tatishchev erroneously assumed that this monument was compiled under Nikon, whobelonged to one of the lists.
The stories, old legends, lives of saints, folklore, as well as archival materials served as the basis for writing the chronicle. When writing the text, the compilers drew on other chronicles, such as Iosaph, Novgorod and many others. It should not be forgotten that a number of information of the monument in question is unique and has come down to our time only in its composition.
Church issue
The Nikon Chronicle reflected the most important issues of its time. The origin of the name of this monument is connected with a mistake made by Tatishchev at one time. However, it has become so firmly established in scientific circles that it has survived to this day. The compilers of the manuscript did an important processing of the material, the analysis of which makes it possible to understand what problems they were worried about.
The authors protected the property of the church. The dispute about whether monasteries should own land and other property was one of the most heated in medieval Russia. Therefore, it is not surprising that the chronicle conveys the idea of the need to preserve the property status of the metropolis. The Nikon chronicle, the origin of which should be considered in the context of the era, suggests the need for a union of secular and spiritual authorities.
Themes of the 1531 Cathedral
At this meeting, very important questions were raised about the position and status of the church and monastic hierarchy, which was reflected in the monument in question. One of the most controversial issues of the era is the problem of whether monasteries can own villages or not. The monument claims that they have the right to own land plots. This was the prevailing point of view at that time, which was also adhered to by the grand ducal authorities.
Another important issue of church life at that time was the decrees of the Russian metropolitans without the sanction of Constantinople. In the 15th century, the Russian Church gained independence. And so it was necessary to fix its new status. In addition, heresies arose at this time, the struggle against which was very fierce. Therefore, this theme is also reflected in the monument.
Editions
The Nikon chronicle, whose names originated from her lists, was subsequently supplemented with other official materials. The processing of the original was essential. It contributed both to the systematization of the accumulated archival documents and to the development of social and political thought. The Code of Metropolitan Daniel was supplemented by the Resurrection Chronicle and the Chronicler of the Beginning of the Kingdom.
Thus the famous Patriarchal list appeared. This new set was widely used primarily in church circles, where in the second half of the 16th century the famous Book of Degrees appeared - a work that tells about the reign of ancient Russian princes, the life of metropolitans. This monument is also interesting because it is the first attempt to systematize Russian history.
New list
The most important source for medieval times is the Nikon chronicle. Briefly about this code, the following can be noted:a valuable manuscript, which formed the basis of the subsequent all-Russian annals of the 16th-17th centuries. Its original was kept in the State Order, which indicates the importance that the official authorities attached to it when compiling new codes.
After some time, it was supplemented by the already mentioned materials. Also, a part was added to it, which told about the events that took place in 1556-1558. This is how the famous list of Obolensky appeared. This is the most complete version of the original. After some time, sheets were attached to it, which expanded the chronology of the story.
Influence on official historiography
The Nikon Chronicle again formed the basis of the new princely code of the second half of the 16th century. Oprichnina became the time of the formation of a new ideology. Ivan the Terrible sought to explain the autocratic nature of tsarist power. Therefore, under him, active work began on the creation of literary works substantiating this idea.
In the years 1568-1576, in the Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda, the compilation of a large new set, which was called the Face, began. It reflected the events of both world and national history. It was decorated with miniatures, as the narration was conducted "in faces". The Nikon chronicle, the content of which corresponded to the plan of the tsar and the compilers of the new monument, was used in its writing. After that, the manuscript was transferred to the Trinity-Sergius Monastery, where it was kept until 1637.
Further processing
In the specified year, the code wassent to the order of the Grand Palace. Therefore, a copy was made from the manuscript especially for the monastery. It formed the basis of another list, which was supplemented with materials. Subsequently, he continued the story on the basis of the official monument of Russian socio-political thought of the 17th century - the New Chronicler. This new edition retained several listings. One of them belonged to Patriarch Nikon, whose name gave the name to the entire monument.
Structure
The most important events of Russian history are reflected in the Nikon chronicle. The summary of this monument can be characterized as follows: this manuscript describes the events from the 9th to the 16th century.
At the beginning, a monument of an ecclesiastical nature is placed: a list of bishops. What follows is a chronological weather report of the incidents. The sections describing the 12th century are covered in greater detail than those for other centuries. Additional texts have been added to the original, telling about the history of the 16th century, in particular about the reign of Ivan the Terrible.
Continuations
The Nikon chronicle, whose composition is complex due to several editorial revisions, has additional inserts. They also deserve attention. Separately, mention should be made of fragments of the Royal Book, from which a description of the incidents for the years 1533-1553 was taken. This monument is an important part of the Facial Arch, which conveys the idea of the autocratic power of the ruler.
The mentioned fragment is especially interesting because Ivan the Terrible himself worked on its content. Rulerwas particularly interested in justifying the ideologically unlimited power of the monarch. Also, a separate mention should be made of such a monument as the story of the life of his son and heir.
This manuscript describes the reign of Fyodor Ivanovich. The author notes that he was very devout and spent most of his time in prayer and fasting. From this monument emerges the image of a new ruler - a quiet and meek man. Also in the source there is news about her one important event in church life - the establishment of the patriarchate in Russia. The head of the Russian church was Job, who wrote the story. In it, he also gave a laudatory description of Boris Godunov. He also described the tsar's campaign against Ivan-gorod.
Tales
A number of interesting literary works are attached to the Nikon chronicle. Some of them are devoted to religious themes, the other - to battles and battles from domestic and world history. One of them is about the capture of Constantinople in 1204. This is an event that shocked the minds of contemporaries.
Another story tells about the struggle of Russian princes for the main, Vladimir throne. Several works are devoted to the fight against the Mongol-Tatars, the Swedes. Some tell about the fate of princes, boyars, metropolitans. Also included in the collection were the lives of saints, stories from the lives of rulers and famous people of medieval times.
Additions
Besides the mentioned monuments, the annals contain more detailed descriptions of some political events. We should also mention the story of the weddingIvan the Terrible to the kingdom. This is a very important fragment, since it tells about one of the most significant events in Russian history - the adoption by the ruler of the royal title.
Taking into account the fact that the chronicle was in the center of attention of Ivan Vasilievich, who used its text to substantiate the idea of an autocratic monarchy, it should be noted that the insertion of such a story had an important ideological significance. It is also necessary to mention the story of the capture of Kazan - one of the key events in the history of his reign.
At the same time, the Nikon chronicle does not contain a number of important texts that can be found in other monuments. For example, the manuscript in question does not contain Russkaya Pravda, an important legislative document. Nevertheless, this code is the most important source of an all-Russian character. He had a great influence on the socio-political thought of the 16th and 17th centuries.
