Early feudal monarchy of Ancient Rus

The early feudal monarchy is a stage that states in their economic and political development are in the period of early feudalism. In Russia, this time was in the 9th-11th centuries.

At the head of the state was the Kiev Grand Duke (monarch). In the management of the country he was helped by the Boyar Duma - a special council, which included junior princes and representatives of the tribal nobility (boyars, militia). Early feudal monarchy is a time when princely power was not yet personal power, unlimited and hereditary. Feudal relations were not yet fully formed, there was no clear system and hierarchy of service, there was uncertainty in land relations, the system of feudal exploitation of peasants had not yet become entrenched.

The political structure of Kievan Rus was largely determined by the following features. Separate lands were in the hands of relatives of the Kiev prince - specific princes or posadniks. An important role in the leadership was played by the prince's squad. Its senior staff practically coincided with the representatives of the Boyar Duma. Younger vigilantes in peacetime served as small stewards, and during the war took part in hostilities. The prince shared with them military booty and part of the collected tribute.

Senior warriors in the early stages had the right to collect tribute from certain territories, due to what eventually became the owners of the land (votchinnikov).

The entire population of the Old Russian state was subject to mandatory tribute, which was the economic basis through which there was an early feudal monarchy. The collection of tribute was called a pole. Usually he was accompanied by the execution of the prince of judicial functions. The amount of duties in favor of the state at that time was not fixed, but simply regulated by custom. But attempts to increase the size of tribute were accompanied by open resistance of the people. In 945, because of this, the Kiev prince Igor was killed . His widow Olga subsequently established a fixed amount of tribute and dowry. The agricultural unit was determined as the unit of taxation.

Practically all collected tribute became an object of export. Her water was sent to Constantinople, where gold was exchanged for luxury goods.

The early feudal monarchy in Russia was based on its own system of law. The earliest written legal monument of this period is Russkaya Pravda. The oldest part of it is called "The Truth of Yaroslav" or "The Most Ancient Truth". Criminal offenses under this code of law were punished with fines in favor of the prince and the victims. For the most serious crimes (robbery, arson, horse-stealing), it was possible to lose all property, be expelled from the community or lose freedom.

In addition to civil law, the early feudal monarchy relied on the ecclesiastical. It regulated the share of the church in princely income and the crimes that were subject to the church court (witchcraft, blasphemy, family crimes, and also trial of people belonging to the church). This institute played an important role in the life of Russia. The Church contributed to the unification of lands in a centralized state and the strengthening of statehood, the development of culture.