Moscow Princes of the Dynastic Wars period in the second quarter of the 15th century in the grand principalityand independent chronicles. (Galician Branch)

In the Russian historical science there has developed a tradition of perception of the opponents of PrinceVasily II Vasilyevich in the fight for the grand throne. Galician princes are seen either as an unconditionally progressive power, but inany case they are confronted with the Moscow Prince. Accordingly, there is a tradition to evaluate their moral qualities. It is typicalthat both models are based on similar, though not absolutely identical sources. At present, it is necessary to dwell on the activities andpersonalities of the princes of Zvenigorod and Galicia on the basis of all available sources of the chronicles, both the official ones datedback to the end of the 15th century and independent ones (North-Russian chronicles and those written in the principalities neighboringto Moscow). Discrepancies or repeated news allow seeing the main parties of the conflict and their actions with the eyes of contemporariesand immediate descendants, at least partly. Using both types of Russian chronicles makes it possible to consider different interpretationsof events chroniclers, from neutral to promotional ones. Particular attention is paid to the three Galician princes who openly opposedto Vasily II. The analysis of their actions, motives (often - presumable) and the results led to the conclusion that these princes didnot act as a unified opposition except for the brief period of 1433-1434. But at that time the reasons and goals of their struggle againstVasily II were not identical. Basically, that family sought to compliance with the principle of family seniority when inheriting the GrandPrince's throne, with the exception of Prince Vasily the Kosoy (Squint-eyed). But judging by the fact that the fight between Vasily Vasilyevichand Vasily Yuryevich ended by blinding of the loser - the case was not typical because blindness was not a norm in the politicalstruggle in Russia. Perhaps, this conflict was the cause of public insult of Vasily the Kosoy at the wedding of Vasily II. The authorpays attention to the lack of available research sources enabling discussion about the personal characteristics and moral qualities of theprinces. In particular, it is doubtful to speak of exceptional ferocity of Vasily Yuryevich and perfidy or duplicity of Dmitry Shemyaka.In this context, for example, it seems to be unreasonable to discuss the assertion that Shemyaka cheated Bishop Iona of Ryazan in 1446.In conclusion we can say that in the chronicle sources of the second half of the 15th century there is a lack of reasons to demonstrate thestruggle between the two principles of succession. Moreover, the grand code of 1472 suggests that the only legitimate way to transferthe grand power was the observance of seniority, regardless of the double violation of that order by that time.

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