Boyardom

Boyardom refers to the system of government and land ownership that existed in medieval and early modern Russia. At its core was the boyar, a member of the highest rank of feudal aristocracy. Boyars held significant political, economic, and military power, often serving as advisors to the Grand Prince or Tsar. Their authority was derived from their landholdings, which were often hereditary and substantial.

The boyar class formed a council that played a crucial role in decision-making, influencing the ruler on matters of state. Their power was not absolute and could fluctuate depending on the strength of the reigning monarch. Some rulers sought to curb boyar influence, while others relied on their support. The relationship between the ruler and the boyars was a defining feature of Russian political history for centuries.

The boyar system gradually evolved. Over time, the importance of hereditary land ownership waned as service-based nobility, whose status depended on their service to the state, gained prominence. The reign of Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century saw a significant weakening of the boyar class through purges and the confiscation of their lands. By the time of Peter the Great in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the traditional boyardom had largely been superseded by a more centralized and service-oriented nobility, though the term "boyar" continued to be used informally to denote a person of high status.