Annals - a type of narrative literature in Russia in the XI-XVII centuries, the most important historical sources, the most significant monuments of social thought and culture. Chronicles were kept by year, the story of each year began with the words "in summer...." The first annals arose in the 11th century, but separate historical records that did not yet have the form of a chronicle were kept earlier, in the 10th century. New annals were compiled mainly as arches of the previous diverse annals, literary and documentary material with the addition of records that brought the presentation to some last official event. Chronicles were kept in many cities at the courts of the prince, bishop, in monasteries.