It was formed in 1199 as a result of the unification by a descendant - Roman Mstislavich of the Vladimir-Volyn land and the city of Galich. At the time, the Galicia-Volyn principality was one of the most developed and largest principalities. It included about 9 lands and several territories of modern regions.

The princes of the Galicia-Volyn principality actively pursued foreign policy in central and eastern Europe. The main competitors, located in the vicinity of the principality, were the Polish and Hungarian kingdoms, the Polovtsy, and closer to the middle of the 13th century also from.

Mutual relations with Poland, Hungary and Lithuania

The Galicia-Volyn state, centered in Galich, fell under the rule of Poland and Hungary after the death of Roman Mstislavich in 1214. However, already in 1238 - 1264. The Galicia-Volyn principality regains strength and independence thanks to Mstislav the Udalny and the son of Roman Mstislavich - Daniel.

The social system of the Galicia-Volyn principality

The main feature of the social structure of the principality was that almost all land holdings there were in the power of a large group of boyars. An important role was played by the estates, they fought against the unfair, in their opinion, princely power, which tried to limit their rights in their favor. The other group included serving feudal lords. Most often, they owned land only while they were in the service. They provided the prince with an army, which consisted of peasants dependent on them. This was a support in the fight against the boyars for the Galician princes.

At the top of the feudal stairs was the church nobility. They owned vast lands and peasants. The main part of the rural population of the Galicia-Volyn principality were peasants. More than 80 different cities were located on the territory of the principality. Most of the urban population were artisans. There were many workshops here, and their products went to domestic and foreign markets. Salt trade also brought good income.

The state system of the Galicia-Volyn principality

Despite the power of the big boyars, the Galicia-Volyn principality retained its unity longer than the rest of the Russian lands. The Galician boyars were at the head, deciding who would sit at the princely table and who should be removed. They conducted their power with the help of the boyar council, which included large landowners, bishops and people of high state positions. Due to the fact that the boyars were in the council, it can be said with certainty that the entire state apparatus of government was in his power.

The princes of the Galicia-Volyn principality sometimes convened, but they did not have much influence, since there was a palace and patrimonial system of government.

The legal system of the principality practically did not differ from the system of other Russian lands. The effect of the norm (with minor changes) also extended to the territory of the Galicia-Volyn principality. The princes issued a number of normative acts that are worthy of mention, these are:

• Statutory charter of Ivan Berladnik (1134);
• Manuscript of Prince Vladimir Vasilkovich;
• Statutory charter of Mstislav Daniilovich (1289).

Prerequisites for the collapse of the Galicia-Volyn principality

Being in feudal dependence on the Golden Horde, relations between it and the Galicia-Volyn principality deteriorated sharply, the sons of Daniel led, this led to the weakening of the principality. The collapse of the Galicia-Volyn principality occurred due to the increased influence of Poland and Lithuania on it, as well as in connection with the simultaneous death of Leo and Andrei Yurievich in 1323. In 1339, the Principality of Galicia was completely captured by Poland, and in 1382, Poland and Lithuania divided Volhynia among themselves.

History of the Galicia-Volyn principality- an integral part of the history of Russia during the period of feudal fragmentation, which was a natural stage in the development of the country.

The feudal mode of production with subsistence farming, the weakness of economic ties led to the disintegration of the territory of Russia into separate lands and principalities. Among them were Galicia and Volyn, which at the end of the 12th century united as part of the Galicia-Volyn principality. In the southwestern part of Russia, the Galicia-Volyn principality was the direct heir of Kievan Rus, the successor of its traditions. The period under study is characterized by a number of important socio-economic phenomena. This is primarily the growth of feudal property through the development of agriculture through the enslavement of the masses of the peasantry. There is also a process of separation of handicrafts from agriculture, the growth of cities as centers of the handicraft population and trade exchange, covering wide areas. Social relations are aggravated, the struggle of the oppressed working masses against the exploiters is unfolding.

A characteristic feature of this period is the struggle of the princes against the boyars for the strengthening of the monarchical power and for the stable unification of the Galicia-Volyn lands into one principality. Such a "unification of more significant areas into feudal kingdoms" counteracted the process of fragmentation of Russia and was undoubtedly a progressive phenomenon. The struggle for the unity of actions of the Russian principalities, for their unification to repel the aggression of foreign feudal lords, was also of great importance.

The territory of both Volhynia and Galicia was divided into separate lands, or principalities. Volyn until the middle of the XII century. formed one Vladimir principality. Later, as a result of princely strife and hereditary division of possessions, small volosts began to appear, which eventually turned into principalities.

The Galicia-Volyn principality arose as a result of the unification of the Galician principality with Volyn, which was carried out by Roman Mstislavich in 1199.

The origin and development of the Galicia-Volyn principality - the heir to Kievan Rus

Unification of Volyn and Galicia

Despite internecine wars between individual princes, Volhynia and Galicia have long maintained close economic and cultural relations. These relationships became a prerequisite for the unification of Volhynia and Galicia in one principality, which later played an extremely important role in the life of the Eastern Slavs for almost 150 years. Its further history should be considered in the context of the formation of three centers of consolidation, new state formations based on mono-ethnic soil - Ukrainian in the south, Belarusian in the northwest, and Russian in the northeast.

The emergence and rise of the Galicia-Volyn state was facilitated by:
1. Good geographical position.
2. The need for a (joint) struggle between the two principalities against aggression from Poland, Hungary, and later the Mongol-Tatar yoke.
3. The policy of princes Roman (1199-1205) and Daniel (1238-1264) united vigorously.
4. The existence of rich salt deposits on the territory of the principality, and this contributed to economic growth and intensification of trade.

The state development of the Galicia-Volyn principality took place in several stages.

Shortly after the death of Yaroslav Osmomysl, Prince of Volyn Roman Mstislavich, at the invitation of the Galician boyars, occupied Galich, but could not establish himself there. Only in 1199, after the death of Vladimir Yaroslavich, the last representative of the Rostislavich dynasty, did Roman Mstislavich succeed in combining Volyn and Galicia under his rule into one principality.

The formation of the united Galicia-Volyn state was an event of great historical importance. No wonder the chronicler called Roman the Grand Duke, "the king in Russia", "the autocrat of all Russia." Having mastered a significant part of the Kyiv heritage. The Galicia-Volyn principality at the turn of the 12th-13th centuries was not inferior to the Holy Roman Empire in terms of the size of its possessions. Its strengthening against the background of the progressive decline of the principalities of the Middle Dnieper testified to the fact that the center of political and economic life is gradually moving to the west.

Roman chose Kyiv as the center of his state, not oriented towards Byzantium, but Galich, close to the borders of the Western states.
Over time, Roman becomes a political figure on the European historical scene, as evidenced by the offer of the Pope in 1204 in exchange and acceptance by the prince of Catholicism to crown him. The Galicia-Volyn principality is drawn into a fierce struggle between the Hohenstaufen and the Welfs, which escalated in what was then Catholic Europe. However, not only with the sword did Roman gain fame. In the last years of his life, he proposed a model for supporting the "good order" in Russia. According to this project, it was planned to end the princely civil strife, the consolidation of forces for the appearance of an external enemy. However, the Galician-Volyn prince failed to unite Russia. In 1205, he tragically died near the town of Zawichost during a fight with the soldiers of the Krakow prince Leshka the White.

Temporary collapse of a single state (1205-1238)

With the death of Roman, an almost 30-year period of struggle for the Galician table begins. The characteristic features of state life at that time were:
- the progressive self-will of the boyars, which reached an unprecedented violation of the norms of feudal law - the announcement of the prince of the boyar Vladislav Kormilchich (1213-1214);
- continuous interference in the internal affairs of the Western European lands of neighboring states - Hungary and Poland, the consequence and manifestation of which was the proclamation of the "King of Galicia" and Volodymyriya Kolman (Koloman), married to the two-year-old Polish princess Salome (after that, the military occupation lasted from 1214 to 1219 .);
- the growing Mongol threat, which first manifested itself in 1223 on the banks of the Kalka River (Galician and Volyn formations were part of the coalition of Russian princes);
- energetic struggle for the restoration of the state unity of Daniel of Galicia, successfully ended in 1238.

Galicia-Volyn principality in the reign of Daniel of Galicia (1238 - 1264).

Having restored unity, the Galicia-Volyn principality is gaining strength and regaining lost positions. In the spring of 1238, Daniel defeated the Teutonic knights of the Dobzhinsky Order near Dorogochin.

Soon he again extends his influence to Kyiv, in which he leaves his governor Dmitry to manage.

Feeling the reality of a constant threat from the West and East, he brings together a number of castle towns (Danilov, Kremenets, Ugrovesk, etc.).
During the period of the Mongol invasion, Daniel of Galicia was not in the principality: he was in Hungary and Poland.

When the hordes of Batu moved to Hungary, Daniil returned to his native lands, where he was expected not only by significant demographic losses, but also by another clash with the arbitrariness of the Galician boyars, who invited the Chernigov prince Rostislav to the throne. But in 1245 Daniel defeated the troops of Rostislav.

In the same 1245, the prince was forced to go to the Golden Horde in order to receive a label to manage the lands. Formally recognizing dependence on the khan, Daniel thereby tried to buy time to gather forces and prepare a decisive blow.
Old cities were actively fortified and fortresses of a new type were built, located on hills with stone walls, and the army was reorganized: the infantry was formed, the cavalry was re-equipped.

Daniil Galitsky was not able to realize the plans before the creation of the anti-Horde coalition. Taking advantage of Daniel's predicament, Pope Innocent IV promised the Galician-Volyn prince real help in the fight against the Golden Horde and the royal crown, subject to the conclusion of a union of the Russian Orthodox Church with the Catholic Church under the auspices of the pope.

In 1253 Danil's coronation takes place in the city of Dorogochin.

But not feeling real help from the papal curia, Daniel terminates the agreement with the Vatican and enters into an open armed struggle with the Golden Horde. At the end of 1254, Daniil of Galicia went on the offensive against the troops of Kuremsa, who was trying to occupy the Galician Lower. As a result of successful and decisive actions, the prince managed to win back the lands along the Southern Bug, Sluch and Teterev from the nomads.

In 1258, the Horde launched a new massive offensive led by Burundai. Having no strength to resist, Daniel of Galicia was forced to order the destruction of the fortifications of Vladimir, Lutsk, Kremenets, Danilov and other cities. Only the fortifications of impregnable Hill, where Daniel died in 1264, after a serious illness, survived.

Stability and rise (1264 - 1323)

After the death of Daniel of Galicia, the principality again loses its unity: its lands were divided among the three descendants of the prince - Lev, Mstislav and Shvarno.

Lev Danilovich (1264 - 1301) continued the state policy of his father most consistently. Although he was forced to admit his dependence on Nogai, it was this prince who annexed Transcarpathia and Lublin land to his possessions. Thanks to him, the territory of the Galicia-Volyn state became the largest in its history.

At the turn of the XIII - XIV centuries. the unity of the Galicia-Volyn state was restored under the rule of Leo's successor, Prince Yuri I (1301 - 1315). This was the period when the Golden Horde, which was torn apart by internal strife and strife, gradually lost power over the conquered territories.
Yuri, like Daniel, took the royal title. During the period of his reign, social development stabilized, cities flourished, trade ascended, economic development grew.

Yuri I's successors were his sons - Andrei and Leo II (1315 - 1323). They divided the territory of the principality into spheres of influence, but ruled jointly, duumvirate, and therefore the collapse of a single state did not occur. The struggle with the Horde ended tragically for them: in 1323, in the battle with the troops of Khan Uzbek, the young princes died.

The value of the Galicia-Volyn state for the Ukrainian people.

In fact, the Galicia-Volyn state on Ukrainian soil was built by Ukrainian hands, who managed to unite around themselves most of the Ukrainian ethnographic theory of their time, in fact, in the middle of the 14th century. ceased to exist. But a century and a half of its existence did not pass without a trace for the future fate of the Ukrainian people.

In the culture of the Galician-Volynian day, even more clearly than before, there is an original combination of the Slavic heritage and new features due to ties with Byzantium, Western and Central Europe, and the countries of the East. The principality has an honorable place in the formation of Ukrainian culture, in strengthening its ties with the cultures of others peoples. For centuries, in difficult times of domination by foreign states, Ukrainian figures of literature, art, and education turned to the heritage of past eras, including the times of the Galicia-Volyn principality. The memory of its former greatness supported the spirit of the Ukrainian liberation struggle.

The state traditions of the era of Kievan Rus and the Galicia-Volyn principality were of great importance for the preservation and strengthening of the historical identity of the Ukrainian people.

Consequently, the development of culture in the Galicia-Volyn principality contributed to the consolidation of the historical traditions of Kievan Rus. For many centuries, these traditions have been preserved in architecture, fine arts, literature, annals and historical works. The heritage of Kievan Rus was one of the essential factors in the unification of the cultures of the Eastern European peoples.

The Galicia-Volyn principality was formed in 1199 as a result of the capture of Galich by Roman Mstislavovich Volynsky. Prior to this, the two principalities existed separately. The state existed until the end of the XIV century, when it was captured by Lithuania and Poland.

Between West and East

The location of the Galician-Volyn lands turned them into a link between Western Europe and Russia. This feature led to the instability of the state - its territory was constantly claimed by neighbors who wanted to take advantage of natural advantages.

At the same time, such a geographical position of the Galicia-Volyn principality was favorable for trade. During the heyday of the state, it was the largest supplier of bread to Europe, and had more than 80 cities, which is quite a lot according to the concepts of that time.

Nature and territories

The territory of the Galicia-Volyn principality was located in the valleys of the rivers Western Bug, San, Danube, Dniester. Thanks to this location, it was possible to enter the Black Sea. Initially, these lands were inhabited by tribal unions of streets, Volhynians, White Croats, Tivertsy, Dulebs. The principality bordered on Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, the Teutonic Order, Berlady (after the Mongol invasion - the Golden Horde), and from the Russian lands - on Kyiv, Turov-Pinsk and Polotsk principalities. The borders were unstable. The reason was both strife between Russian princes and frequent conflicts with southern and western neighbors. For a long time the principality was directly dependent on the Golden Horde.

Natural and climatic conditions were favorable. In general, they corresponded to the classics of central Europe. Significant areas of chernozem in the region of the western Bug contributed to the development of agriculture. There were significant forest reserves (part of the Carpathians also belonged to the principality). Natural conditions stimulated not only agriculture, but various crafts - hunting, fishing, beekeeping.

Administrative nuances

In addition to the Galician and Volhynian territories proper, the Terebovlyansk, Kholmsk, Lutsk, and Belz lands also belonged to the principality. A significant part of them was annexed during the reign of Daniil Romanovich (1205-1264), both by military and peaceful means (for example, the prince inherited the Lutsk lands).

The capital of the united principality is Galich, although the Volyn prince stood at the origins of the unified state. Later, the functions of the capital were partially transferred to Lvov (it was also built by Daniil Romanovich and named after the son of the prince).

Galicia-Volyn principality

Geographical position: Southwest of Russian lands. Also, the location of the Galicia-Volyn principality can be attributed to the rivers Bug, Dnieper, Pripyat, Pruch. It did not have access to the seas. (The largest cities of the Galicia-Volyn principality were Vladimir-Volynsky, Przemysl, Terebovl, Galich, Berestye, Kholm).

Climate: mild, fertile soil (steppe space)

Economic development: they were engaged in agriculture (export of bread), extraction of rock salt, hunting, beekeeping, blacksmithing, pottery, cattle breeding. Numerous trade routes passed through the Galich and Volyn lands. The water route from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea passed along the rivers Vistula - Western Bug - Dniester, land trade routes led to the countries of South-Eastern Europe. The Danube was the overland trade route with the countries of the East.

The neighbors of the Galicia-Volyn principality were the Kingdom of Poland, the Kingdom of Hungary, the Polovtsians, the Golden Horde, the Principality of Lithuania (From them, the Galicia-Volyn principality signed an agreement with Catholic Rome, the Holy Roman Empire and the Teutonic Order in defense).

Form of government: monarchy (language - Old Russian, religion - Orthodoxy)

Rulers: Yaroslav Osmysl (1151-1187), Roman Mstislavich (1199-1205; united the Galician and Volyn lands. In 1203 he occupied Kyiv. Under the rule of Roman Mstislavich, Southern and South-Western Russia united. The period of his reign was marked by the strengthening of the position of Galicia -Volyn principality inside the Russian lands and on the international arena.In 1205, Roman Mstislavich died in Poland, which led to the weakening of princely power in the Galicia-Volyn principality and its disintegration), Daniil Romanovich (1205-1264; In 1228, Daniil successfully withstood in Kamenets, the siege of the troops of the coalition of Vladimir Rurikovich of Kyiv, Mikhail Vsevolodovich of Chernigov and the Polovtsians of Kotyan under the pretext of intercession for the princes captured by Daniil in Czartoryskepinsky. In 1245, Daniil visited the Golden Horde and recognized the dependence of his lands on the Mongol khans as a way to avoid territorial claims to Galicia. During this trip, the ambassador of the Pope Innocent IV, Pla but Carpini about the unification of churches. In 1248, Daniel intervened in the Lithuanian civil strife on the side of his second wife's brother Tovtivil against Mindovg. In 1254, Daniel made peace with Mindaugas. In 1254 Daniel took the title of "King of Russia". In 1264, Daniel died, and did not liberate the Galicia-Volyn principality from the Horde yoke)

Conclusion: Galicia-Volyn land was located in an area with fertile soils, mild climate, steppe space, there were many rivers and forests. It was the center of highly developed agriculture and cattle breeding. In this land, the commercial economy (hunting, fishing, beekeeping) also actively developed. Crafts developed successfully, which led to the growth of cities. Especially blacksmithing, jewelry, weaving. The largest cities of the earth were Vladimir Volynsky, Galich, Przemysl and others. Numerous trade routes passed through the principality. The waterway from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea passed along the rivers Vistula, Dniester, Western Buk. Overland trade routes led to the countries of southeastern and central Europe. Along the Danube there was a path with the countries of the East. In the principality, large princely and boyar land tenures formed early. Having abundant sources of support, the local nobility prospered, maintained large squads. It was difficult for the princes who came from Kyiv to rule in this region, where each boyar could put up an entire army against the prince. The position of the Rurikovich was further complicated by the fact that it bordered on the strong Western states of Hungary, Poland, whose rulers actively intervened in the affairs of the principality (Galicia and Volyn), sought to seize and assert their power. The Principality of Galicia reached its peak under Prince Yaroslav Osmomysl (very educated, he knew 8 languages). Yaroslav Osmomysl achieved great prestige, both in internal lands and international ones. To solve his problems, he skillfully used allies among the Russian principalities. He pursued foreign policy taking into account all Russian principalities. He put great pressure on the foreign policy of Byzantium, successfully repulsed the raids of nomads. Under him, new cities were built in the principality. The author of The Tale of Igor's Campaign speaks of him as one of the most powerful princes in Russia, who props up the Ugric mountains with his iron regiments. Yaroslav began a stubborn struggle for autocracy, but could not break the boyars. After his death, the Galician land became the scene of a long struggle between the princes and the local boyars. The weakness of the Galician princes is explained by the fact that their land ownership was less than that of the boyars, and they could not increase the number of servicemen, on whom their supporters would rely in the fight against the boyars. A powerful princely fiefdom developed in the Volyn principality. The princes were able to subjugate the boyars and strengthen their power. In 1198 Prince Roman Mstislavich of Volhynia united the two principalities, he subjugated Kyiv and ruled southern and southwestern Russia. Under him, the Galicia-Volyn principality grows stronger and begins to play a significant role in international politics. Relying on a layer of serving feudal lords and townspeople, he stubbornly fought the boyars, he exterminated some, the rest fled to Hungary and Poland. He distributed the lands of his opponents to serving feudal lords. Strong power contributed to the development of the principality. He takes the title of Grand Duke and becomes recognized in Russia. With the death of Roman, the princely power weakened. The boyars seized power, and his young children fled to Hungary. Galicia-Volyn principality broke up. The Galician boyars began a long and exhausting struggle that lasted about 30 years. The Hungarian and Polish feudal lords invited by the boyars ravaged the land, seized the Galician lands and part of Volhynia. This raised the national liberation struggle against the invaders. This struggle served as the basis for the unification of the forces of East-Western Russia. Prince Daniil Romanovich managed, relying on the townspeople and service people, to establish himself in Volhynia and strengthen his power. In 1238, he again unites the Galician and Volhynian lands into a single principality. In 1240, he captured Kyiv and reunited southern and southwestern Russia. In Kyiv, he imprisoned the voivode Dmitr. The economic and cultural rise of the Galicia-Volyn principality during the reign of Prince Daniel was interrupted by the invasion of Batu.

Introduction

2. Cities, crafts: development and significance

3. Domestic and foreign trade: features and significance

Bibliography

Introduction

The emergence of the Galicia-Volyn state was facilitated by a favorable geographical position (remoteness from Kyiv weakened the influence of the central government, natural conditions made these lands inaccessible for steppe nomads, in addition, the principality was located at the crossroads of strategically important trade routes). The need for a common struggle between the two principalities against aggression from Poland and Hungary, and subsequently against the Mongol invasion and the yoke, also contributed to the energetic unification policy of the princes Roman Mstislavich (1199-1205) and Daniel Romanovich of Galicia (1238-1264). The existence of rich salt deposits on the territory of the principality was important, which contributed to economic growth and the intensification of trade.

The relevance of the topic "Galicia-Volyn state: features of economic development" is that during this period there were significant changes in the development of land ownership, cities, crafts, domestic and foreign trade

The object of the study is the Galicia-Volyn state, the subject is the features of economic development

The purpose of the study is to consider the Galicia-Volyn state: features of economic development.

Research objectives to consider:

Land tenure system: forms and character.

Cities, crafts: development and significance.

Domestic and foreign trade: features and significance.

1. The system of land tenure: forms and nature

The formation of mature forms of feudal property is associated with the growth and strengthening of the landownership of princes, boyars, and the church. A significant part of the landowners were the so-called free servants - vassals of princes and boyars. Feudal legislation granted the feudal lords the exclusive right to own land, alienate and inherit, and protect their property.

A hierarchical structure of land ownership was established, which was based on inter-princely and princely-boyar vassal relations. A real feudal ladder arose: the Grand Duke, local princes, boyars, boyar servants. The legal side of the seignioral-vassal relations was not clearly worked out. They were established not on land relations, but on the collection of taxes from lands for living.

Some historians defend the idea that in Ukraine systems of the Western European type arose in the XII-XIII centuries, in particular in the Galicia-Volyn principality. Its economic development was characterized by the predominance of boyar land ownership. The princely domain began to form only from the XII century. The process of feudalization took place without the influence of the princely organizing power. Galicia-Volyn princes began to associate land ownership, their servants and boyars with service and vassalage. The lands that were granted for lifetime possession were called the "state". Prince Daniel of Galicia, having liberated the lands from the Hungarians, distributed the cities to the boyars and governors. As a rule, when a prince lost his principality, the boyars loyal to him lost their villages.

With the formation of large landownership and feudal dependent peasantry in the XI-XIII Art. immunity developed as a legal form of feudal domination. Landowners acquired the right to judge, collect tribute and manage all categories of the peasantry.

The princely estates developed most intensively. For them there was a characteristic dispersion in different volosts. The structure of the economy was dominated by crop farming, horse breeding, crafts, labor and in-kind rents.

Private estates in the XII - the first half of the XIII century. grew as a result of the granting of princely lands to the feudal lord and as a result of his private ownership initiative (acquisition and entrainment of land, development of untouched territories). Three forms of rent were combined. In-kind rent prevailed in two forms - fixed rent and zdolshchina. Cash payments were associated with judicial-administrative fines and fees. In the domain economy, regular and periodic working off were used (haymaking, construction work, horse-drawn compulsion, field work).

Votchina was a diversified economy. Agriculture, animal husbandry, crafts belonged to it, the most important of which were hunting, fishing, beekeeping, processing of raw materials, and milling. The feudal courtyard-castle was fortified as its economic, administrative and military center. In the center of the territory there were houses and utility buildings (barns, stables, stables, pigs, workshops). There was a system of patrimonial administration: a steward, village and role elders, a groom (groom), a key keeper. The economy of the patrimony had a natural character, a pronounced focus on meeting the needs of consumption. Only an insignificant part of the output went to the market for the sale and purchase of goods that were not produced on the farm.

The economic basis of the peasant economy was the peasant yard-smoke. The size of individual peasant land use was equal on average to one "plough", which was a unit of taxation and amounted to about 15 hectares of land. 10-15 smoked, mostly relatives, united in the courtyard. Over time, strangers joined the courtyards, who, depending on their property status, either became equal members - "pullers", or became dependent on the owners of the courtyards, they were called "halves", "dolniks". The grounds of the courtyard consisted of "plots" - smoked, which were scattered in different places. There were also small farms and a smaller unit of taxation, the "ralo". Yards were part of the society, headed by the headman (ataman).

In the general use of society were indivisible lands. They distributed government coercion and taxes.

Peasant farms were the basis of economic life, they occupied most of the land of the patrimony, produced most of the agricultural products, and themselves converted it for direct consumption. A part of the domain economy of the patrimony in the total production was much smaller, but it determined the progress in agriculture, had more opportunities to improve tools, apply advanced agricultural technology at that time, grow new crops, and the like.

The seizure of Ukrainian lands by foreign states led to changes in land relations. Landed property of Lithuanian, Polish, Hungarian, Moldavian feudal lords arose and gradually increased.

During the period of feudal fragmentation, the bulk of the peasants - smerds from free farmers-communes turned into holders of lands appropriated by the prince, boyars and the church. Smerdy lost economic independence and personal freedom. There were also changes in the forms of exploitation of the peasants. In the conditions of the low level of farming technology, the estates were deprived of the opportunity to widely organize their own economy, therefore the main part of the estates were peasant farms, which paid the feudal lords a rent in kind - dues. “In all European countries,” K. Marx noted in Capital, “feudal production is characterized by the division of land between as many vassal dependent people as possible. The power of feudal lords, as well as of all sovereigns in general, was determined not by the size of their rent, but by the number of their subjects, and this latter depends on the number of peasants who run an independent economy.

The rent in kind guaranteed a certain economic independence of the ancient Russian peasant. He was interested in the results of his work, and this increased its productivity, ultimately ensuring the subsequent economic development of Old Russia.