Administrative divisions of the Novgorod Republic


The administrative division of Novgorod Republic is not definitely known; the country was divided into several tysyachas and volosts. The city of Novgorod with its vicinity, as well as a few other towns, were not part of any of those. Pskov achieved an autonomy from Novgorod in the 13th century; its independence was confirmed by the Treaty of Bolotovo in 1348.
After the fall of the republic, Novgorod Land, as part of Muscovy, consisted of 5 pyatinas that were further divided into uyezds and pogosts. This division was replaced only in the beginning of 18th century when Peter I introduced guberniyas.

Novgorod Republic

City of Novgorod

Novgorod with its vicinity belonged to a separate territorial unit. The city of Novgorod itself was divided into five kontsy or boroughs: Nerevsky, Zagorodsky, Lyudin, Slavensky and Plotnitsky. The city was also divided into two sides: the left-bank of the Volkhov was called the Sophia Side and the right-bank the Commercial or Trade Side.

Core

– the lands near Ilmen Lake, Volkhov River, Ladoga Lake and Gulf of Finland, often referred to as Novgorod volost in chronicles, formed the core of the state. The assumptions of the internal structure of independent Novgorod are mostly based on the list of the builders of the Great Bridge over Volkhov and the 1471 treaty between Novgorod and Casimir IV of Poland. The former lists ten parts of Novgorod itself and nine other entities. According to Burov, these were tysyachas that, together with the capital made t'ma, mentioned in the 1471 treaty. Below is the list of tysyachas and their approximate locations:
Other important towns were Porkhov, Koporye, Yama, Oreshek and Korela. Most of the towns were in the more economically developed western part of the country, in other parts only ryadki existed or there were no town-like settlements at all.
Several towns were also not part of any tysyacha as they were owned jointly by Novgorod and one of the neighbouring states. Velikiye Luki were owned jointly by Novgorod and Smolensk Principality and later by Novgorod and Lithuania. Volokolamsk and Torzhok were owned by Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal Principality that became part of Muscovy.

Volosts

Vast lands to the east that were being colonised by Novgorod or just paid tribute to it were divided into volosts. Some of those volosts were:
After the disintegration of Kievan Rus' in the 12th century, the city of Pskov with its surrounding territories along the Velikaya River, Lake Peipus, Pskovskoye Lake and Narva River became a part of the Novgorod Republic. It kept its special autonomous rights, including the right for independent construction of suburbs. Due to Pskov's leading role in the struggle against the Livonian Order, its influence spread significantly. The long reign of Daumantas and especially his victory in the Battle of Rakovor ushered in the period of Pskov's actual independence. The Novgorod boyars formally recognized Pskov's independence in the Treaty of Bolotovo, relinquishing their right to appoint the posadniks of Pskov. The city of Pskov remained dependent on Novgorod only in ecclesiastical matters until 1589, when a separate bishopric of Pskov was created and the archbishops of Novgorod dropped Pskov from their title and were created "Archbishops of Novgorod the Great and Velikie Luki".

Pyatinas

After the conquest of Novgorod Land by Muscovy it was divided into 5 pyatinas :
  • The Pyatina of Shelon, from Shelon River, was located between Lovat and Luga rivers to the west and southwest of Novgorod.
  • The Pyatina of the Wods, named after the Votic people that inhabited the area, was located between Luga and Volkhov rivers, to the north of Novgorod and on the shores of Ladoga Lake.
  • The Pyatina of Obonezay, from the Onega Lake, was the biggest pyatina of all. It was located to the northeast of Novgorod on the shores of White Sea, Ladoga and Onega lakes.
  • The Pyatina of the Berezayka, to the east of the capital.
  • The Pyatina of Derev, between Msta and Lovat rivers, to the southeast of Novgorod.