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Rus' Druzhina Warband
The Rus' druzhina was the hereditary and contractual warrior retinue surrounding the ruler in Kievan Rus' and later grand principalities, divided int…
Timeline
- c. 980–1100Kyiv · KyivUnder Vladimir I and Yaroslav, the grand princes maintained the loyalty of their retainers with land, booty, and court offices; the druzhina served as palace guard, campaign force, and escort for envoys.
- c. 1331–1340Grand Principality of Moscow · MoscowIvan I used his retainers to suppress internal rebellions, collect tribute, and campaign toward Novgorod; the druzhina remained the standing force for Moscow's outward expansion and its maintenance of relations with the Golden Horde.
- 1380–1400Kulikovo Field · Rus'Dmitry Donskoy relied on druzhina cavalry and allied forces at the Battle of Kulikovo; after the victory he granted the retainers expanded lands, but the rising proportion of peasant levies and mercenaries gradually institutionalized the traditional druzhina's functions.
Sources
- The Cambridge History of Russia, Volume 1 — Maureen Perrie (2006)
- Medieval Russian Armies 1250–1500 — David Nicolle (1995)