«SVADA ROMANOVA» IN THE HALYCH-VOLHYNIAN CHRONICLE

Abstract

Roman Mstyslavovych died in Poland in 1205, killed by Leszek the White. However, the Galician chronicler still portrays him as a strong and successful ruler. Only once does the writer offer a veiled negative assessment of his subject. In the winter of 1206–1207, Roman’s widow fled Volhynia with her children to escape their enemies and took refuge in Poland, at Leszek’s court. According to the chronicle, Leszek «did not remember his strife with Roman» (не помѧноу съвады Романовы). This study examines the usage of the word съвада («strife») in Old Russian chronicles and analyzes the characterization of the figures involved in this episode. The chronicler presents Leszek in a distinctly positive light, depicting him as forgiving and generous: he welcomes the fugitive family with respect, sends envoys to the Hungarian king, and offers support to help Roman’s children reclaim their lands. This favorable portrayal of Leszek is tied, in part, to the chronicler’s acknowledgment that Roman had made political missteps.