Succession to the Throne in Early Modern Russia: The Transfer of Power 1450-1725

Legal primogeniture did not exist in early modern Russia, and the monarch designated an heir by custom rather than law. This study explores the many paths to succession, including designation of the heir and occasional elections, and shows how the forms of designation evolved over the centuries as Russian culture changed. When Peter the Great formalized the custom in 1722, it was not a radical innovation but was consistent with the experience of the previous centuries.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 400 pages
\n Publication date: 18 March 2021
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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This revised account of the succession to the throne in early modern Russia, spanning from the Moscow princes of the fifteenth century to Peter the Great, challenges the notion of legal primogeniture. Rather, it suggests that the selection of an heir was primarily a custom rather than a legal requirement. By overturning established scholarship, Paul Bushkovitch presents a compelling argument that there were numerous pathways to the throne, involving both the designation of heirs and occasional elections. These interactions between the monarch and the ruling elite, as well as to some extent the broader population, played a significant role in determining the succession.

Exploring the evolution of designation forms over centuries, this study demonstrates how Russian culture transformed and, in the later seventeenth century, adopted Western practices. It reveals how, when Peter the Great formalized the custom in 1722 by enshrining the tsar's power to designate heirs in law, this was not a revolutionary innovation but rather a continuation of historical trends.

The study sheds light on the complex dynamics of power and governance in early modern Russia, highlighting the role of custom, tradition, and cultural influences in shaping the succession to the throne. It provides a fresh perspective on the historical narrative, challenging the notion of a rigid legal system and emphasizing the role of informal and flexible mechanisms in determining the fate of Russian rulers.

\n Weight: 730g\n
Dimension: 158 x 235 x 32 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781108479349\n \n