Kommersant, how strictly this was observed in Chernigov and Smolensk, but this cannot be said regarding the Polotsk table, as we have seen. The princely power here did not have time to establish itself, since the veche took a decisive turn over the village. We have already pointed out the facts of the war more than once, but the significance of the war increases even more when the time of troubles begins in the history of the Polotsk land. Let us add to the facts known to us that the Polochans not only elected their own princes and expelled them, but also concluded treaties. apparently, without the participation, at least of the main, representative, princes.
Brief information from our books speaks very eloquently about the fate of the veche in inter-terrestrial relations. Thus, it has already been told how, during David’s campaign against Polotsk in 1186, the chronicle reports that he wanted to conclude an alliance with David: “and the Polotsk people heard, and thought, saying: we can’t,” etc. 36). Exactly
35) Lavrent., 383.
also independently conclude an alliance with Yaroslav of Novgorod at the Polotsk Council in 1191 37). In a word, the important prerogatives of the Polotsk Council, apart from the internal dfl, consisted of the rights to elect and expel the prince, to conclude treaties with fellow princes; in case of any misunderstandings with the prince, it called him to itself for an explanation, as can be seen from the negotiations with Rostislav Glyfbovich; gathered at the Cathedral of St. Sophie. Modern opinions about the independence of self-government in Polotsk are high. Vefm izvfstno indicated. Bykhovts' photographic record, apparently drawn from an earlier source, states that the Polotsk people “managed like the great Novgorod and Pskov” 38). Stryikovsky, carried away by this independence of the people's government in Polotsk, even composed a fable about the rule of 30 elders in Polotsk, which, of course, is only an imitation of the Greek stories about thirty tyrants 39).
In the well-known expression of the Suzdal chronicler, “Novgogrodtsi 60 from the beginning, and Smolnyans, and Kiyans, and Polochans, and all the authorities seem to agree on what the elders will think of, and what the suburbs will become.”
But the published view of the literature on the relationship of the suburbs to the main city is not at all wrong, at least in relation to Polotsk. The writer, obviously, cites this historical principle of ancient Russian life to prove the correctness of the demands of the Rostovites. But everywhere, and even more so in Polotsk, the suburbs, as far as possible, gradually captured a greater and greater share of independence and independence from the main cities. Their struggle is visible at the very beginning of the historical independence of the Polotsk and Krivichs. So, we have already seen that in the campaigns against Minsk, Prince David of Polotsy took an active part with Monomakh. The Minsk residents zealously defended their prince. In this support for the prince, one cannot help but see his struggle with the main city, of which David is the representative. It may very well be that for Mopomakh, dear-
37) Novgor., 164. 33) Roshiya 40 02e]am ebemzmev, \Ipo 1846, ed. Narbutta, r.5. 39) Ugushomzyu, Kgoshka, in ed. Danilovich page 240.
Following the ancient principles of ancient Russian life, the military service in the dfl of the struggle of the udfl with the main city, in addition to observing its own interests, also had a principled significance. Following the history of Polotsk life, we meet again with the struggle of the sons of Glb Minsky over the Polotsk table with Rogvolod Borisovich. In this struggle, it is mentioned more than once that it is the Polotsk people, and not the princely squad, who are the main defenders of Polotsk interests. On the other hand, the Druchans strongly support their candidate for the main table until Vseslav Vasilkovich is confirmed on it with the help of. Prince of Smolensk.
This relationship between the Polotsk suburbs and Polotsk itself will become quite clear to us if we try to understand what the lot of the Polotsk land was like.