The book tells about the events that took place at the beginning of the XVII century. in cities such as Ivangorod, Yam, Koporye, Korela, Oreshek, Staraya Ladoga, Tikhvin, Staraya Russa and Porkhov. They were at the epicenter of events related to the struggle of Novgorod against the Tushins, the struggle of Pskov against Novgorod and the Swedish interventionists. The intricate chronology of the events of the Troubles in this region is being restored in detail. It tells about the attempts of the Delagardi-Odoevsky government to establish a peaceful life in small towns. Some sides of urban everyday life are being reconstructed, the names and social status of the townspeople are being established. The events of 1613 related to the uprisings in Tikhvin, Gdov, Porkhov and Staraya Russa against the Swedes are investigated. The fate of small towns is considered until 1617, when, under the conditions of the Stolbovsky world, Staraya Russa, Porkhov, Staraya Ladoga and Gdov, together with Novgorod, were returned by the Swedes to the Russian state.