Great Muscovite Law Code (1649)
About the Author
The Ulozhenie was established at the order of Czar Alexis I. Alexis was born in March of 1629 and took the throne at the age of sixteen. His father and royal predecessor, Mikhail, was the founder of the Romanov Dynasty. Most historians consider Alexis to have been a pious and fairly effective ruler. Conservative rather than reactionary, he was cautiously favorable to reforms that appeared likely to strengthen or preserve tradition and authority, such as a new and more comprehensive law code. He was also distinguished by an ability to choose wise and talented advisers and to give them sufficient freedom of action. This latter trait is also clearly exemplified by the Ulozhenie, which Alexis authorized but did not compose. He died in 1676.
In the early summer of 1648, Alexis consulted with Patriarch Joseph of Moscow, church officials, boyars (nobles), and other prominent advisers. Then, on July 16, he appointed a five-person commission headed by the talented and...
