Nikolai Alekseevich Polevoy (1796-1846) was a Russian writer, critic, historian, and journalist. Born in Irkutsk, he published and edited the magazine "Moscow Telegraph" from 1825 to 1834, which became one of the most important literary and social publications of its time. After the magazine was closed by government order, Polevoy moved to St. Petersburg, where he focused on drama and historical fiction. He wrote dozens of plays and stories, in which he invariably addressed national history. Polevoy's main scholarly work was "History of the Russian People," conceived as an alternative to Karamzin's "History of the Russian State" and sparking widespread debate in contemporary society.

The novel "The Oath at the Holy Sepulchre" is an artistic interpretation of the Time of Troubles and the struggle for the Moscow throne. The action takes place in the 15th century and is associated with the fierce internecine wars between princes striving for supreme power. Moscow comes alive on the pages of the book, surrounded by palace intrigues, rivalry between boyar clans, and struggles for power; neighboring cities-Novgorod, Uglich, Suzdal, and Dmitrov-become the arena for events woven into the overall fabric of Russian history.

In this work, Polevoy combines dramatic plot with patriotic pathos, striving to portray Russia at a turning point in its history-as a power whose strength is born from trials and the struggle against discord.