The Russian Truth of Yaroslav the Wise

"Russian Truth" of Yaroslav the Wise is considered an outstanding monument of the history of Russian law. Lists of it have reached the present day in quite a large number. However, there was no unified classification.

Code of Laws "Russian Pravda" was a code of feudal law of Ancient Rus. Its norms are taken as a basis for the court certificates (Novgorod and Pskov), as well as future legislative documents of Russian, as well as Lithuanian law.

"Russian Truth" Yaroslav the Wise appeared after the era in which the unification of the rural population was characterized as a neighborhood community. It, in turn, arose as a result of the disintegration of the family community.

"The Truth of Yaroslav the Wise" is the oldest part of the legal code. It reflects the older rules adopted during the reign of the prince. This part of the code contains sixteen articles, followed by many laws issued by the sons of Yaroslav from the middle of 11th century to the beginning of the 13th century (Pravda Yaroslavichy).

The basis of the contents of the Code is the acts reflecting the interests of the prince's administration. Comparing some of its parts, the expansion of the power of princes and princely court is clearly visible.

The "Russian Truth" of Yaroslav the Wise determined the legal status for the population, while each feudal society included estates whose duties and rights were clearly defined by the law as unequal.The inequality was both in relations between estates and in relation to the state.

It should be noted that at that time there was some kind of static in the development of society, which the government tried to secure by legislative means. Russia's social system was based on slavery. The most severe manifestations of it are observed in 9-10 centuries, at the early stages of the birth of statehood.

"Russian Truth" of Yaroslav the Wise determined the servant as a property of the master, while the owner himself did not possess property.

Formation of the feudal class occurred gradually. To him belonged the squad, princes, local nobility and others. Civil administration was carried out by the feudal lords, in addition, they were responsible for the military organization. Legislation was supposed to collect tribute and judicial fines from the population, which went to provide management functions.

To settle the vassal and land relations of feudal lords, as well as their relationship with the Grand Prince, apparently, there were special agreements. "Russian Pravda" reveals only certain aspects of the legal status of the feudal estate.

The legal code of the Ancient State establishes and protects property. For encroachments, violations, thefts, high fines were set quite high.

An integral part of the legislation was the formation of the population's responsibilities towards the government. Numerous taxes were imposed in the form of dues, tribute.

In the legislation of Yaroslav there were some provisions that tried to establish the status of "smerd". In legal acts, not only the definition of his status, but also his legal capacity, duties were considered. There are indications of various penalties imposed on smerds. However, despite the fact that the "Russian Pravda", if necessary in the legislative act, indicates membership in a particular group (social), the concept and status of "smerd" is interpreted in the code very vaguely.

Free population in the cities was provided with legal protection of acts of the "Russian Truth". Particular attention was paid to the merchant class, who early on formed associations (guilds).

It should be noted that the development of Ancient Rus took place in the same direction as in the largest European countries. The Russian state of that time is characterized by historians as a country with a highly developed legal sphere, a great cultural potential.