Early feudal monarchy is the stage that states go through in their economic and political development during the period of early feudalism. In Russia, this time fell on the 9th-11th centuries.
The Kyiv Grand Duke (monarch) was at the head of the state. In governing the country, he was assisted by the Boyar Duma - a special council, which included junior princes and representatives of the tribal nobility (boyars, warriors).
Early feudal monarchy - 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 the peasants had not yet taken root.
The political system of Kievan Rus was largely determined by the following features. Separate lands were in the hands of relatives of the Kyiv prince - specific princes or posadniks. The princely squad also played an important role in the leadership. Its senior composition practically coincided with representatives of the Boyar Duma. In peacetime, junior combatants performed the duties of petty stewards, and during the wartook part in the fighting. 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 which, over time, they turned into land owners (votchinniki).
The entire population of the Old Russian state was subject to obligatory tribute, which was the economic basis, thanks to which the early feudal monarchy existed. The collection of tribute was called polyud. Usually it was accompanied by the performance of judicial functions by the prince. 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 amount of tribute were accompanied by open resistance from the people. In 945, Prince Igor of Kyiv was killed because of this. His widow Olga subsequently established a fixed amount of tribute and dues. The unit of taxation was determined by the agricultural peasant economy.
Practically all the collected tribute became the subject of export. It was sent by water to Constantinople, where it was exchanged for gold and luxury goods.
Early feudal monarchy in Russia relied on its own system of law. The earliest written legal monument of this period is Russkaya Pravda. The oldest part of it is called "Yaroslav's Truth" or "Ancient Truth". According to this code of laws, criminal offenses were punished by fines in favor of the prince and the victims. For the most serious crimes (robbery,arson, horse theft) could lose all property, be expelled from the community or lose freedom.
In addition to civil law, the early feudal monarchy also relied on church law. It regulated the share of the church in princely income and the crimes that were subject to church court (witchcraft, blasphemy, family crimes, as well as the trial of people belonging to the church). This institution played an important role in the life of Russia. The church contributed to the unification of the lands into a centralized state and the strengthening of statehood, the development of culture.
