Historical and cultural problems

of northern countries and regions

 

Scientific articles

 

 

Private correspondence of the Arkhangelsk Governors of the XVII century

 

 

Novokhatko O.V.¹

 

 

Abstract. On the material of private correspondence of Arkhangelsk Governors of the XVII century with their relatives, friends and executives, the study shows some technical characteristics and functions of the private correspondence of the Early modern period as a social phenomenon. In the absence of other means of communication in Russia of the XVII century, correspondence was basically the only form of mediated communication (except oral messages transmitted through couriers). The content of the letters shows that correspondence was not only a tool to maintain the relationship of the certain circle of people, but was an effective tool for social and economic assistance, helping to solve various problems, from sympathy in misfortune to the ability to borrow money, to buy food or goods, to help with the economy, to find a service, etc. In fact, private correspondence was one of the forms of a society's existence in Russia of Early modern time.

Keywords: History of the XVII century, social communication, information flows, private correspondence, patronage, economy exchange.

 

 

¹Novokhatko Ol'ga Vladimirovna. Dr. Sci. (History), a leading researcher at the Institute of Russian History RAS. Dmitria Ulyanova str. 19, 117036, Moscow, Russian Federation.

E-mail: 1808845@mail.ru

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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"Historical and cultural problems of northern countries and regions"