North-Eastern Russia and Moscow in the Annals of Poland by Jan Dlugosz

Abstract

The article analyzes the information dedicated to north-eastern Russia and Moscow contained in the “Annals of Poland” by Polish chronicler and historian Jan Dlugosz written in 1455–1480. The author notes that J. Dlugosz was the first Polish chronicler who used Russian and Russian- Lithuanian Chronicles and described the history of those Russian lands that became part of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. J. Dlugosz created his historical work during the final stage of unification of the lands of North-Eastern Russia by Moscow, the struggle with the dependence on the Horde, but he didn’t see either the completion of this process or the time when Lithuania began to lose Russian lands. The author notes the ambivalent attitude of J. Dlugosz to Moscow: on the one hand, the underestimation of the situation in the East, on the other — understanding of the emergence of a dangerous competitor. J. Dlugosz doesn’t mention any Princes of Moscow of the 14th century. Occasional references to Moscow and its rulers begin with Vasily I, but only in connection with Polish-Lithuanian affairs. Vasily II is not mentioned by name, although his activities are reflected in the Annals. Based on the fact that J. Dlugosz in one of the last reports of the Annals stating the strengthening position of Moscow under Ivan III gives him a laudatory characteristic, the author comes to the conclusion about the beginning of a gradual transformation of the image of Moscow from insignificant to threatening. Thus, J. Dlugosz notes the importance of the annexation of Novgorod and predicts future problems for Lithuania and Poland.