Boris Morozov, boyar: biography, inheritance

Among the statesmen of pre-Petrine Russia, one of the most outstanding representatives of this epoch is the courtier-boyar Boris Morozov, closest to the Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Evaluation of its activities can not be unambiguous: thus, in every possible way advocating for the welfare of the state and the inviolability of the throne, it sometimes put on the shoulders of the common people the overwhelming burden of economic hardship, which provoked unrest leading to bloody riots.

Rise of the new courtier

Boyar Boris Morozov was born at the end of the 16th century. Fate was favorable to him - he was born not only one of the heirs of an ancient and noble family, but also a relative, though distant, to the sovereign himself. The Morozovs and the Romanovs became related before the accession to the throne of Mikhail Fedorovich.

In 1613, the Council of the Zemsky met in Moscow , the decision of which elected the first representative of the Romanov dynasty to the throne - the sixteen-year-old Mikhail Fedorovich. Among the participants of the cathedral, who left their signatures under a historical document, was the young boyar Boris Ivanovich Morozov. Since that time his biography is inextricably linked with the top of state power.

A wise educator

Boyar Morozovy - Boris and his brother Gleb - were given the status of sleeping bags under the new tsar, which enabled them to quickly become one of their "own" people and win the sympathy of the autocrat, especially since they were almost the same age. When the heir to the throne appeared in 1629, the future sovereign Alexei Mikhailovich (Peter the Great's father) was four years old, Boris Morozov was appointed guardian (or, as they said at that time, "uncle").

Thanks to Boris Ivanovich, the future tsar received a versatile education. In addition to understanding the basics of grammar and the Catechism, the young prince got acquainted with engravings of Western artists and domestic popular prints. Looking at them with his mentor, he got an idea of the movement of the heavenly bodies, the diversity of the animal and plant world, as well as the lives of people in other countries. Preserved information that the history of the Tsarevich studied with the help of the Facial Vault - a chronicle, illustrated with a multitude of engravings.

Formation of the personality of the future king

The works of the mentor were not wasted - the heir to the throne received extensive knowledge in various fields. The autographs that have come down to us testify that he wrote competently and at the same time possessed a good literary style. But the main result of education was that the personality of the king was not suppressed by the requirements of etiquette and court duties. In his letters to close people, he appears as an open and cordial person. It is not surprising that Alexei Mikhailovich considered Morozov his second father to the end of the days and treated him accordingly.

As for his own education, according to the memoirs of his contemporaries, the boyar Boris Morozov considered him extremely inadequate. Speaking of this, he apparently meant a lack of knowledge of foreign languages and the inability to read European books. His own documents show that he was educated and literate, especially since his room contained a very large and interesting library.

The need for state reforms

Sovereign Alexei Mikhailovich inherited the throne when he was barely sixteen years old, and just a few months after that he lost his mother. Therefore it is not surprising that at such a young age he wanted to have a wise and reliable ruler, especially since the situation that had developed by that time in Russia required immediate and radical changes in many areas of domestic policy.

The most urgent measures should be taken in the organization of cities, the tax system and the strengthening of the centralization of power. All these tasks were undertaken by the government, headed by the faithful servant of the tsar - Boris Ivanovich Morozov. The 17th century from the very beginning brought untold disasters to Russia. These are the impostors who appeared under the name of Tsarevich Dimitri, and the invasion of the Poles, and terrible crop failures, which caused the death of thousands of Russians. In addition, the obvious mistakes made in the previous reign also played a role. All this gave rise to numerous problems that required an immediate solution.

At the peak of power

Becoming a Russian autocrat, Alexei Mikhailovich almost completely changed the composition of the government, entrusting all key posts to his closest people, among whom was Morozov. Boris Ivanovich - a smart boyar and, what is very important, an economic one, has embarked on the implementation of state reforms with the same grasp as managing his own patrimony.

The tsar instructed him to manage several orders, the most responsible among them being the Order of the Great Treasury (finances), Foreign and Streletsky. In addition, he was in charge of the state monopoly on alcohol trade, which at all times was a significant part of the national budget. Thus, in the hands of Morozov concentrated a huge power - money, the army and control of international politics.

Reforms dictated by life

The most important task facing him was to restore order in the financial sphere. To this end, Boris Morozov conducted a number of measures to reduce the costs of the administration that had grown excessively by that time. After purging the state apparatus, he replaced many of the governors, who were mired in corruption, and some of them betrayed the court. In addition, the palace and patriarch servants were reduced, and those who stayed in the previous places, reduced salaries.

The reforms were also carried out in the bodies of local self-government, as well as in the army. But, as it often happens in Russia, the establishment of order has turned into new disorders. Morozov's sensible and timely measures led to the fact that most of the cases that the governor and the leaders of the orders had previously submitted to the government were transferred to the office of the deacons and clerks, who immediately increased the fees, causing general discontent.

Another problem, tried to solve Morozov, was the collection of taxes from residents of cities, many of which were exempt from taxes, because they were listed for the settlements of monasteries and the highest nobility. Having conducted a general census of the population, he ensured the uniform payment of taxes by all citizens. Of course, having carried out such an important undertaking, he replenished the treasury, but made a lot of irreconcilable enemies. In addition, having increased the fees for the import of goods by foreign merchants, he set himself up against himself and the trading people.

Salt riots

The last drop, which filled the cup of patience of the residents of Moscow and many Russian cities, was an increase in the price of salt, the sale of which was a state monopoly. This measure Boris Morozov tried to replace many direct taxes. The logic of the action was simple - tax evasion could be avoided, but no one could do without salt. Buying from the state this product and overpaying a certain amount, he thereby contributed his share of tax collection.

But as the proverb says: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." Reforms aimed at strengthening the state and improving the lives of its citizens, have caused widespread discontent, resulting in events called "salt riots". They were directed mainly against the boyar Morozov and the government he headed.

By this time, his position at the court was significantly strengthened by marrying the sister of Queen Mary of Miloslavskaya, but even a close relationship with the Tsar could not protect the hated boyar from popular anger. Deaf murmuring and general discontent poured out in May 1648 into active action.

The beginning of unrest

From the chronicles of those years it is known that the commotion began that the crowd stopped the king, who was returning from the pilgrimage in the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, and appealed to him with complaints, reproaching Morozov and his officials for bribery. Perhaps the Emperor would have been able to calm the people, and everything went without an open rebellion, but the archers, who were directly subordinate to Boris Ivanovich, rushed to beat the gathered whips. This served as a detonator of further events.

The next day the crowd burst into the Kremlin, where they were joined by archers, also infringed on the latest reforms. The rioters routed and plundered the royal palace. Some of the rebels penetrated the wine cellars, in which they found their death after the fire began. After that, many boyars were destroyed and set on fire, and those of them who fell under the arm of the crowd were killed. But the main enemy of the crowd was Boris Morozov. The boyar made people so hateful that everyone demanded his extradition for immediate punishment.

last years of life

Only a personal promise of the tsar to dismiss Morozov from all affairs calmed the crowd and allowed him to flee from the capital to the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery, where he hid until the rebellion of rebels. Upon his return to Moscow, the runaway boyar continued to deal with state affairs, but at the same time trying not to be in sight. When the famous "Cathedral Code" was developed, which for many years became the basis of the legal framework of Russian legislation, boyar Boris Morozov took part in the work on it.

His biography in this last period of his life testifies to the numerous mental and physical ailments that have fallen upon this once energetic and complete human power. Boris Ivanovich died in 1661. Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich personally escorted his beloved mentor, who was Boris Morozov for him, on his last journey.

The inheritance of the deceased belonged to his own brother Gleb, since he himself had no wife or children by that time. When soon the brother finished his earthly journey, the state passed to his son, but in fact his mother, the noblewoman Theodosius Morozova, who entered history with her schismatic activity and was immortalized in Vasily Surikov's famous painting, was in control of them.