Boyar Duma

The origin of the word "boyar" is unknown to this day. There are also no documented sources in which it would be clearly stated what duties they were assigned to them. It is only known that these are advisers close to the prince, who assisted in solving issues of national importance.

The Boyar Duma is a permanent council under the prince, who decided the highest Zemsky questions. His activities were of a conscientious nature. In the composition, apart from the boyars, there were vigilantes, and sometimes also representatives of the higher clergy.

The Boyar Duma solved the main issues of governance, foreign policy, legislation and court. At the same time they were discussed together with the prince (tsar). Competence, rights and duties were not defined. As a rule, several people attended the council, but if the most important issues were discussed, the meeting was held in an expanded format. The Duma participated in the solution of religious and legislative issues, internal state structure, foreign policy.

The leadership of the meeting was carried out by the prince (tsar), he also approved the decisions taken. And in case of his absence, these functions were given to them by an authorized boyar. When solving a common question by princes of several lands, joint meetings could be held. The Boyar Duma was closely connected with the prince until it consisted for the most part of the vigilantes, who moved with him from place to place. Then, after strengthening the Zemsky element, she gained greater independence.

Boyar Duma before the 15th century was assembled as necessary. Later it became a permanent advisory body, which included Duma deacons, boyars, okolnichi, Duma noblemen. The first were in charge of paperwork and drafted decisions. They were entrusted with ambassadorial, local and digit affairs. The Duma clerk was the lowest rank on the council.

The court rank "okolnichiy" existed in the Russian state from the 13th to the 18th centuries. Initially, their functions included the device of travel of the prince, participation in negotiations with ambassadors. Okolnichy was the second Duma rank after the boyar. The persons holding this post were appointed regimental commanders, heads of orders, they took part in the organization of court ceremonies.

The Duma nobleman was the third Duma rank. They administered orders, were appointed by the voevoda, carried out military and court duties, participated in the meetings of the Duma. Their number was small, they, as a rule, belonged to the well-known surnames.

At the beginning of the 17th century (1606), Prince Vasily Shuisky, nicknamed boyar, "shouted" for the reign at the reign of the tsar. In order to secure for himself the support of the Duma or at least somehow weaken its hostile attitude towards itself, the new tsar decided to meet the aristocracy's claims and assume a number of obligations. In this regard, he swore an oath in the form of a "cross-cutting record," in which he promised that he would not: judge without the Duma, impose disgrace without sufficient grounds, and take away property from the families of the executed. Thus, the power of the king was limited. However, in practice, commitments were often not implemented. At the same time, Vasily Shuisky's oath is regarded by some historians as the first step towards the creation of a rule-of-law state.

The boyar king had few supporters, often changed his allies and views. He justified his rights to the throne with antiquity of a kind. However, the people did not trust him. He did not use authority or love, because his word could not be believed. This was the reason for his overthrow, which took place on July 17, 1610.

The Boyar Duma lasted until the reign of Peter I, in particular until 1711, when the Senate was formed.