At the end of the XV century Russian land experienced a new milestone in its history.At this time, the Moscow princes had to make decisions that would help secure all the land and keep them together.First of Law has been issued for this purpose.
State before the adoption of an important document
Since 1132 in Russian history begins a period of fragmentation.Old Russian state with the center in Kiev virtually ceased to exist.Though princes and fought for the throne of Kiev, though their victory did not mean that they will take in hand the power over all Russian lands.Very soon, Kiev possessions were looted and residents ran into other lands, there to find a salvation from nomads and wars.
In a situation where a brother went to war against his brother, and his son - his father, Russian lands were easy prey for the nomadic tribes.During these years, the power gained the Mongol tribes.Divided Russian princes and the lack of a common command helped the invaders to enslave the Old Russian state for many years.
Over time several towns gained enough strength to become the center of the new state.Due to its advantageous geographical position, wisdom and cunning of the local princes and the support of the Orthodox Church Moscow was able to win in this confrontation.
Moscow princes for decades gathered Russian lands.He graduated from the design of the new state, Ivan III.This required the creation of a set of laws by which it could not exist.The king was aware of this necessity.First of Law was issued in 1497.
Ivan III
Ivan was born in Moscow in 1440.His father was Vasily II, nicknamed the Dark.Father Ivan took part in the princely feuds.That's when he earned his nickname.In an effort to deprive Basil forces and capabilities to fight, he captured and put out his eyes.Basil II survived and took the throne.But he needed help.
Assistant became the man to whom Basil Dark trust as well as yourself.Ivan, his son, became involved in solving public problems since he was 16 years old.After 6 years after the events of The Dark Basil died.
Ivan III had joined their lands Novgorod, Tver and many other rich territory.It ended with the execution of the ruler of the Russian state.And that's when it was a change in management, which will determine the history of the Fatherland for many years.
funeral of the first spouse, Ivan III decides to marry again.This time his chosen one becomes a niece of the last Byzantine ruler Sophia Palaeologus.After long negotiations, she arrives in Moscow and became the wife of Russian emperor.
Contemporaries wrote that Sofia was extremely clever and cunning woman.It affects her husband and convinced him that the only Byzantine way of life can be called the only correct one.Polish-wife liked Ivan III, because soon after the wedding, he began to reform.
Byzantine court differed pomp and wealth situation.Ceremony, during which subjects recognized his insignificance in comparison with the sovereign, exalted ruler and emphasized the divine origin of his power.After the wedding with Sophia Palaeologus, Ivan III established the same rules in their home country.Besides tradition was taken over by the coat of arms of Byzantium.Ivan III and his descendants are now considered the main defenders of the Orthodox faith, heirs of Byzantium.
Keeping traditions
Ivan III did not dare to take risks and make big changes in established traditions of conducting domestic politics.Many of the standards adopted in the past, preserved its existence.Among them was the "feeding".During the disintegration of Kievan Rus at the site has several small principalities, which differ in size and wealth.In most of these rulers to manage their lands, in some they had consulted with the boyars.
If the ground was too great to manage it on their own, the prince sent out their deputies.They do not receive a salary, but, however, led a comfortable existence: they were allowed to acquire wealth in the lands subject to them.Stewards shamelessly robbed peasants and artisans.They had the right to take the high taxes in the form of money and food.
of Law in 1497 remained "feeding", despite the fact that they applied a huge blow to the peasantry.But after the publication of the code of laws was established their exact size, exceed that no one could.
court proceedings and
creating the first of Law, Ivan III ordered that special attention was paid not to the laws and court proceedings.Because in this document separately stipulate who and how to make decisions.
Judged boyars, courtiers and clerks.In that case, if the offense was serious and it was not easy to solve, the court administers the Grand Duke himself.
First of Law has been published yet, and in order to ensure fairness of punishment, because the first were introduced laws against bribery.Judges are prohibited from accepting gifts and money from the participants in the proceedings and make decisions based on personal preferences.
In the event that it was difficult to identify who is right and who is wrong, a court showdown.To determine the outcome of the case, plaintiff and the defendant in armor fighting with each other as long as one of them wins.However, none of the participants did not have to die.This is followed by special people.In the event that one of the parties could not fight (the woman, an elderly man, crippled), she had to find someone who will agree to defend its interests.
Penalties
of Law in 1497 and contained a list of punishments that were exposed to criminals.From now on, the people of the state had no right to judge yourself and punish the offenders.It was also banned blood feud.
first appeared among the penalties the death penalty.Higher exposed as perpetrators of murder, arson, sacrilege and so on.. In addition, the execution of those who for the second time committed theft.For the first criminal flogged with whips in the area, so that more people have seen his disgrace.
In the case of wine was practically proved, but the man refused to recognize it, of Law in 1497 permitted torture.This method of obtaining confessions also appeared for the first time.
position of farmers
particularly strong fragmentation and the Mongol-Tatar yoke affected the peasantry.Some people were taken into slavery, while others - killed.Only after the Mongol-Tatars retreated, the state gradually began to rise from the ashes.
At the time when the first of Law was established, there were already dependent peasants.They were called slaves, whose position was no different from the status of slaves in other countries.They lose their freedom of those people who do not have the means to lead independent lives, or taken prisoner during the war.Becoming a slave, a man condemned to slavery all their descendants.This situation was inherited, and the child servant became a slave, even if his father was a free man.
Relationship farmers and landowners to Sudebnik 1497
Before that year, when the first of Law was published, the peasants (not slaves) have the right to move from one landlord to another.For his work on earth peasant received a loan in the form of plant seeds, tools and money.Some landowners also provide their employees with housing.
for a loan farmer pledged to plant seeds, care for plants and harvest, only to give back to the landlord.But no one could stop him go before the crop is harvested.Then the landlord had to hurriedly seek out people who agree to harvest to avoid incurring even greater losses.Landowners were eager to Law in 1497 corrected this injustice.
St. George's Day
, Ivan III could not ignore this problem.Because Sudebnik appeared in the first restriction, which concerned the peasantry.
Adoption of Laws shall fix the time when the farmer could move from one landlord to another.That period was the week before St. George's Day (October 26) and the week after.At this time the crop is harvested, farmers can pay the elderly (the payment for residing in a foreign land, use of other instruments of labor) to the landlord and move to another.
Not everyone liked this reform.For some farmers the adoption of Laws forced to flee to the Don, which formed a special world - the Cossacks.
consequences of the adoption of the document
of Law - is not just a collection of laws, but also a reflection of the harsh life of the Russian people at the time.It is for this document can be studied and the life of residents of the state.
During the invasion of the Tatars in the decline of the culture of the ancient Russian state came.If, before the arrival of the nomads Russian people could be considered one of the most competent in all of Europe, over the centuries, everything changed.Also, the Mongol-Tatar yoke to change the mentality of the Russian people, which can be seen on the example of Laws.
first adoption of Laws meant a death penalty, torture.Never before has there been such a harsh punishment for crimes.And over the years it will be just more of their species.
Bolsheviks, describe the consequences of Laws in 1497, believed that it was then that began enslaving peasants.But they were wrong.Though it was limited to the transition of the peasants from one landowner to another, this fact can not be called a harbinger of serfdom.It began to take shape with the heirs of Ivan III.And it was canceled only after the reforms of Alexander II - another representative of the ruling dynasty.
First of Law was established in order to resolve the life of the new state with its center in Moscow.The document for the first time, new rules, some were taken from the Russian Pravda - the first set of laws.But all the regulations that represents the first Russian Code of Law, are a reflection of the difficult life of the Russian land, recovering after the Mongol-Tatar yoke.
