PHJ № 2 (50) 2026 — A. M. Vvedensky. THE INITIAL PART OF THE PSKOV CHRONICLES: ON THE ISSUE OF SOURCES
The article focuses on the initial segment of the Pskov chronicles, spanning from the inception of the narrative to 6573/1065. In this section, the text of the Pskov Second Chronicle deviates from the text found in the Pskov First and Pskov Third Chronicles. A comprehensive textual analysis of the Pskov Second Chronicle reveals that its compiler employed a single chronicle source, specifically the Novgorod First Chronicle, in the initial section. This finding suggests that the compiler did not draw upon additional chronicles during the composition process. The common protograph of the Pskov First and Pskov Third was derived from two chronicle texts: The Novgorod First Chronicle and the Brief Novgorod Chronicler. The compiler of the Pskov Third Chronicle also drew upon the content of several chronicles belonging to the Novgorod-Sofia group. The article provides a compelling argument to support the hypothesis that the initial part was absent from the general protograph of all Pskov chronicles.