Parent here, thank you for responsing. Based on the history books I’ve read, your answer contradicts some of my pre-supposed views - I am very open to having be

Parent here, thank you for responsing. Based on the history books I’ve read, your answer contradicts some of my pre-supposed views - I am very open to having been misled and misinformed. Would you mind sharing some foundational sources/books that specifically talk about the history of Novgorod, and in the aftermath of the Golden Hordes, information about the regional power struggles you alluded to? If you even have a single book to reccomend as a starting point, I would greatly appreciate it!