Where and When did the Novgorodian Savva Gather the Tribute?

Abstract

The article contains historical and linguistic commentary to the Novgorod birch-bark letter #724. In [Петрухин 2009] the author criticized the long-established interpretation of this well-known document offered by Valentin Yanin and Andrey Zaliznyak (НГБ X; ДНД2). The present paper develops the ideas expressed in [Петрухин 2009], supports them with new arguments and puts forward an alternative interpretation of the document. The main theses of the interpretation of Yanin and Zaliznyak have been revised. According to them, the birch-bark letter mentions the Novgorod posadnik Zakhariya and the Suzdal prince Andrey Bogolyubsky, the events mentioned happen in the remote northern parts of the Novgorod state, the letter dates from 1161‒1167, and the situation with the reduced vowels is considered “transitional”, i.e., one reflecting the process of the fall and vocalization of the reduced vowels in progress. In the present article the author argues that no historical persons are mentioned in the letter, the situation takes place in the southern parts of the Novgorod territory (on the land belonging to Novgorod princes), the document dates from the early 13th century and its language is “late Old Russian” (with the chanting effect in the postscript to the letter). The article also provides a detailed analysis of the critical remarks of Gippius and Zaliznjak with respect to [Петрухин 2009].