The Komi lands of the Vychegda basin (later 'Old' or 'Little' Perm) and of the upper Kama (Great Perm).
Perm is first mentioned in 1187, the name meaning at first the Vychegda basin (en.wikipedia Great Perm). Novgorod claims the land and sends traders and collectors along the Vychegda, but its control is slight; the Kama Komi trade above all with Volga Bulgaria, to which their furs go down the Kama. They are pagan and govern themselves; Stephen of Perm's mission is of the late 14th century.
Novgorod's claim to Perm appears in its treaties from 1264 (later evidence).
Who holds it
- Name
- none named
- Title
- the Komi communities (no leader named)
- Confidence
- high
en.wikipedia Great Perm: the region of Perm first mentioned in 1187, at first meaning the Vychegda basin.
Overlord
None in fact; Novgorod claims tribute.
How things stand that morning
Self-governing; no Novgorod post known. To the south lie the Udmurts and the Bulgar trade sphere (Ryazan and Volga Bulgaria research); beyond the Urals, Yugra.
Wealth
Furs, above all sable and squirrel.
Military
Hunters' bows; no forts known for 1200.
Customs and assemblies
Kin and village communities; no leader recorded for 1200.
Overlord claims
Novgorod (tribute, slight); Bulgar (trade, the Kama); the Ustyug men of the grand prince (later rivals).
Places of note
- Cherdyn: later centre of Great Perm
Where the sources disagree
- Placed in the novgorod realm as the brief asks; on 1 January 1200 Novgorod's hold here is a claim, especially on the Kama.
Evidence: Almost no written evidence for 1200.
On the map: The southern edge towards the Udmurts and the Vyatka and the eastern edge on the Urals are estimates.
Primary sources for Novgorod
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- The Chronicle of Novgorod (kept year by year; the Synodal manuscript written in the 13th and 14th centuries). Novgorod's own record, kept at St Sophia. Read online
- The Laurentian Chronicle (the Suzdal continuation kept in the late 12th and 13th centuries; manuscript 1377). The court record of Vsevolod III of Vladimir. Read online
- The Livonian Chronicle of Henry, Henry of Livonia (1225 to 1227). The chief source for the Baltic mission. Read online
- The birch-bark letters (11th to 15th centuries). Excavated letters and notes on birch bark, dated by the layer they lie in. Read online
- The law of the Gotlanders; The saga of the Gotlanders (Guta lag about 1220, Guta saga about 1220 to 1275; manuscript of about 1350). The law and the short history of the self-governing island. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.