Image of “enemy” in Kyiv Chronicle of first quarter of 17th century

Abstract

Objective. Find out how the authors-compilers of the Kyiv Chronicle of the first quarter of the 17th century perceive “enemies” and by what means they materialize their vision of the “hostile”. Methodology. The study uses critical, comparative-historical methods, a historical-anthropological approach, and hermeneutic analysis. Scientific novelty. The research explores two perspectives on the perception of the “enemy” from the viewpoint of two authors of the Kyiv Chronicle of the first quarter of the 17th century: a clergyman and a nobleman. The source base, used by the authors-compilers of the Kyiv Chronicle, has been clarified. A new interpretation of some dates contained in the text of the monument has been proposed. Conclusions. The Kyiv Chronicle of the first quarter of the 17th century is a valuable source for studying the worldview of early modern individuals, particularly the issue of theirperception of the “enemy” and the “hostile”. The review of the chronicle block compiled by Kyrylo Ivanovych, the churchwarden of Uspenska Church in Kyiv, shows that beneath the chronicler’s apparent indifference to external events and focus on Kyiv’s internal life and ecclesiastical matters lies a significant interest in key events of prolonged confrontations with the Moscowites and Tatars. Kyrylo Ivanovych consciously selected information from his sources about specific events of the Lithuanian-Moscowites wars and clashes with the Tatars. The chronicler delineated the beginnings of the struggle with the Moscowites and Tatars and marked the end of the war with the Moscowites. Moscowites and Turks are unequivocal enemies for Kyrylo. Under certain circumstances, Poles also fall into the category of “enemy”. The author of the final part of the chronicle, an unnamed Orthodox nobleman, unlike his predecessor, used various means - mystification, “information warfare” tools, and poetic forms - to create a series of vivid “hostile” images - Moscowites, Tatars, and Ottoman Turks.

Keywords

• kyiv chronicle of the first quarter of the 17th century, image of the “enemy,” burghers, nobility, moscowites, tatars, turks, poles, ostroh princes.