Since ancient times, at the courts of large rulers, there has been a special caste of people who were entrusted with the performance of certain power functions. Regardless of the structure of the court ranks, they have always been part of the elite, enjoying certain privileges and rights that are inaccessible to other members of society. Such court ranks have existed in Russia since the inception of statehood.
At first, the court officials in Russia had the right to perform the functions of state administration and leadership, ensuring the service of the ruler and the life of the court. Over time, there was a division of ranks into state and proper courtiers. As this division proceeded, the court ranks were no longer associated with the implementation of specific duties at the court, but only had an honorary title.
In the Middle Ages, by the beginning of the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the country had a developed system of state ranks, divided into three large groups: Duma ranks, Moscow service ranks, and provincial service ranks. The immediate entourage of the sovereign included the first two bureaucratic groups. They could be involved in the performance of functions at the court.
A separate group of dignitaries stood apart, which had special privileges and very specific duties according to their position. In the 17th century, the highest among the Russian court ranks were considered the butler, bed-man and equestrian. Traditionally, these ranks were assigned to representatives of boyar families. Usually, the leadership of the Boyar Duma was carried out by a stable boy, who was also the head of the Konyushenny Prikaz. The farm, subordinated to the groom, was very wide. He was in charge of the sovereign's estates, financing of the stables department, and the formation of a horse army.
Another of the highest government ranks was a bed clerk who was in charge of the property of the royal court and was responsible for the safety of the sovereign. The sleeping bags and the solicitor obeyed the bed-man. It also included services that supplied household items to the court. The bed-worker often accompanied the ruler on trips and at official events; he had the right to rest in the room next to the monarch.
The butler was also endowed with special rights. He led the volosts and the Palace Order, having in his jurisdiction the income received for the maintenance of government residences. Very often, those persons whom the tsar wanted to bring closer to him were appointed to the position of butler.
It should be noted that the boyars in Russia had special advantages at court. They received ranks that were not associated with the implementation of specific duties, but only emphasized their closeness to the king. One of these ranks was the title of the sovereign's servant, which was awarded only for individual merits. Anyone who received such a rank automatically became a confidant of the sovereign and to a certain extent could influence foreign and domestic policy.
