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

by Paul Bushkovitch

This revisionist history of succession to the throne in early modern Russia, from the Moscow princes of the fifteenth century to Peter the Great, argues that legal primogeniture never existed: the monarch designated an heir that was usually the eldest son only by custom, not by law. Overturning generations of scholarship, Paul Bushkovitch persuasively demonstrates the many paths to succession to the throne, where designation of the heir and occasional elections were part of the relations of the monarch with the ruling elite, and to some extent the larger population. Exploring how the forms of designation evolved over the centuries as Russian culture changed, and in the later seventeenth century made use of Western practices, this study shows how, when Peter the Great finally formalized the custom in 1722 by enshrining the power of the tsar to designate in law, this was not a radical innovation but was in fact consistent with the experience of the previous centuries.

Genres: History

400 pages, Hardcover

First published March 18, 2021

Reviews

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meticulously researched and well written book, which provides fresh insights concerning the nature of monarchy and power in Early Modern Russia. The numerous instances of Russian rulers presenting their heirs to the public, the meetings of noble councils, and the example of nearby kingdoms, such as Poland's elective monarchy suggest that Russian royal power in this time period was not absolute and that primogeniture was not necessarily the only means of selecting an heir. The author also questions longstanding myths about Russian royalty during this period, which are frequently repeated in popular histories, and makes a strong case for the political importance of women and junior members of the royal family. A fascinating read, highly recommended for anyone interested in Russian or royal history.