Chronicle of the Beginning of the Reign of the Tsar and Great Prince

an official chronicle compiled in the 1550’s. The basic text covers events from 1533 to the conquest of Kazan; in some copies the narrative is extended through 1556, 1558, or 1560. The chronicle describes the tsar’s activities, court life, diplomatic relations, and military events in great detail. It is largely based on archival documents. Makarii, A. F. Adashev, and I. M. Viskovatyi helped prepare the manuscript.

The chronicle is a valuable source for the official political ideology of the mid-16th century. It is a panegyric to the autocratic rule of Ivan IV and to the victory over the Kazan Khanate. Of particular interest are the biased editorial corrections later introduced into the text, probably by Ivan IV. The chronicle was included in the Nikon Chronicle and in the Illustrated Chronicle Codex.