Russian nobility

Russian nobility was an elite social class that held land, power, and privilege, primarily from the medieval period through the imperial era. Nobles, or "dvoryanstvo," owned vast estates, collected taxes, and often served as military or government officials. Their status was inherited and reinforced by customs, titles, and connections to the tsar. Nobility played a central role in shaping Russia’s political, military, and cultural life, with the most prominent families influencing the nation’s history. Although their influence waned after the 1917 Revolution, their legacy remains significant in Russia’s historical and cultural identity.