The Romanovs and the Boyars: The Struggle for Power Before Peter

Before Peter the Great broke their power, the boyars—Russia's ancient hereditary aristocracy—were the real power behind the throne. This episode explores their origins, their role in the Time of Troubles, and how the Romanovs, once a boyar family themselves, systematically dismantled the boyars' influence. We discuss the mestnichestvo system of precedence, the boyar duma, the infamous 'boyar plot' against Boris Godunov, and how Peter's Table of Ranks finally ended their dominance. We also look at the everyday life of a boyar, their vast estates, and their complex relationship with the tsars. It's a story of family rivalries, political maneuvering, and a class that both built and nearly destroyed Russia. #Boyars #RomanovDynasty #RussianHistory #Mestnichestvo #BoyarDuma #TimeOfTroubles #IvanTheTerrible #PeterTheGreat #TableOfRanks #BorisGodunov #Shuisky #Feudalism #Nobility #RussianAristocracy #PatriarchFilaret #History #FexingoHistory #EasternEurope Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo