The Central Yam Department of the Moscow State: The Problem of Formation (15th–16th Centuries)

Abstract

This article considers the issue of the central body and officials running regular communication in the Moscow state between the 15th and 16th centuries. The author demonstrates that there was a close connection between the changes that took place in the Yam organisation, and the need for political centralisation. The author corrects the traditional scheme of the establishment of the Yam Prikaz and the concept of D. V. Liseytsev. During the reign of Ivan III, the needs of rule contributed to the isolation of the Yam service. By the end of the 15th century, inside the Grand Chancellery (Treasury), there emerged a Yam department maintained by Yam clerks. In addition to their key duties in establishing regular communication, these officials drew up serf acts and provided diplomatic missions with victuals. Together with Yam clerks of the Treasury, there were other officials referred to as Yam officials in different sources. This category of clerks was part of the Palace staff. They drew up and certified credentials for serfs, and were involved in the material supply of embassies. However, they were not part of the organised communication system. Without undergoing any structural changes, the Yam Messenger system existed until the era of the Select Council (Rus. Izbrannaia rada). However, the interests of management called for higher quality and reliable communication. From the mid-16th century, the Yam system started being reformed. This led to the establishment of a new centralised institution that managed regular communications. Not later than 1550, the Yam Prikaz based on Yam clerks of the Treasury emerged. However, its powers and possibilities were limited and did not extend to the whole country.

Keywords

• Ямской приказ
• ямские дьяки
• ямская гоньба
• Казна
• Дворец
• докладные и полные грамоты.