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Rus' druzhina (retinue)

Type Object Region East Europe Time c. 900–1240

The дружина (druzhina) was the core armed and administrative retinue of the princes of Kievan Rus', composed of professional warriors, sons of nobles…

Timeline

  1. c. 900–980Kievan Rus' · Kievan Rus'Early Rus' princes maintained the druzhina as a standing armed force and close attendants; members were divided into the senior druzhina (старейшая дружина) and young warriors, participating in expeditions and internal affairs.
  2. c. 1016–1072Kievan Rus' · Kievan Rus'The Russkaya Pravda stipulated blood feuds, compensation, and service obligations for druzhina members, reflecting their privileged status in justice and the military; the hierarchy of senior druzhina and young warriors was further solidified.
  3. 1081–1090The principalities of Kievan Rus' · Kievan Rus'In the 1080s the кня relied on their respective druzhiny to compete for the Kievan throne and border interests; powerful princes such as Vladimir Monomakh gained the upper hand in the political and military struggles of Rus' with elite druzhiny.

Sources