Russian Cossacks’ history in the middle of the 16th century in the mirror of discharge sources

Aim. To correct the source base of the early period in the history of the Russian Cossacks. Up until now, in scientific research on the history of the oldest period in the history of the Russian Cossacks (15th – mid-16th century), the greatest reliance has been placed on chronicle sources. They formed a basic, almost unique group of sources on the topic. This means that military lists, i.e. discharge sources, were rarely used. Their introduction to this research topic is necessary and very useful.

Methodology. The article presents a review of the oldest news about the military activities of the Russian Cossacks according to discharge sources from the beginning of their creation to the middle of Ivan IV’s reign, i. e. during the period when the mention of Cossacks is very rare and almost isolated. Later they will occur with greater frequency. This kind of sources marks the first appearance of the proper-Russian Cossacks in the military campaigns of the Muscovite Kingdom of the early 1550s, which refers to the conquest of the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates.

Results. The expansion of the source base for research on the history of the early Cossacks has been made. Important pragmatic conclusions have been drawn: first of all, at the initial stage of the Russian Cossacks’ history, a significant contingent of the Turkic Cossacks, i.e., apparently, mainly Tatar, served in the Russian army at the same time; secondly, the Cossacks appeared on the pages of the discharge sources in the early 1550s, since by this point they had turned into a significant military force.

Research implications. New, scientifically credible information that can and should be used in creating an integral picture of the early history of the Russian Cossacks of the 16th century has been gained. The results of the study represent a contribution both to the history of the Cossacks and to the history of the Russian state.

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