How many levels are there in the table of ranks? Table of ranks of all military, civil and court ranks. The history of the creation of the “Table of Ranks”

In the Russian Republic and the Russian Empire, it also indicates the ratio of seniority of various ranks and the sequence in which ranks are promoted.

It was approved by Peter I in January 1722 and existed until November 1917 with numerous changes. In some territories controlled by the Cossack and White governments, its effect remained until October 1922. There is no law “Table of Ranks” in the Russian Federation.

History of creation

Tsar Peter actively participated in the creation and editing of this law, which was based on borrowings from the list of ranks of the Prussian, French, Danish and Swedish kingdoms. Peter, having personally amended the draft draft, signed it in 1721, but before publication he ordered that this law be submitted for consideration by the Senate.

The contents of the "Table of Ranks" of Tsarist Russia, in addition to the Senate, were also considered in the Admiralty and Military Collegiums, where a number of comments were made on how to place ranks by rank, on salaries, as well as on the introduction of ancient Russian ranks into the table and about eliminating the clause on penalties for occupying a place that was higher than the corresponding rank in the church. All these points were, however, left without further consideration in the law “Table of Ranks” (Russian Empire). Members of the Senate Bruce and Golovkin, as well as Dmitriev-Mamonov and Matyushkin, major generals, took part in drawing up the final version.

"Table of Ranks": how they served the state in Tsarist Russia

On January 24, 1722, the tsar approved the document. All ranks were now divided into the following three types: civil, military and courtiers. They were also included in 14 different classes.

The “Table of Ranks” in Tsarist Russia numbered a total of 263 positions, but then some of them were abolished, and at the end of the 18th century they disappeared completely.

Hereditary nobility

The 14th class (Fendrik, and later, from 1730, ensign) gave a person the right to hereditary nobility, which in the civil service was acquired upon reaching the eighth class (the rank of collegiate assessor), and the 14th (that is, collegiate registrar) gave the right only to the nobility of its bearer.

According to the Manifesto issued on June 11, 1845, hereditary nobility was acquired along with promotion to the 8th class (which corresponded to the rank of staff officer). Born before their fathers received it, children represented a special category. They were called chief officer's children. Moreover, one of them could be granted hereditary nobility at the request of the father.

Changes that occurred later in the "Table of Ranks"

In December 1856, Alexander II, by his decree, limited the subjects of the hereditary nobility to the rank of colonel (this is the 6th class), and in the civil service - the 4th class.

As you can see, the original version that the “Table of Ranks” had in Tsarist Russia changed as a result of reforms over almost two centuries. A number of civil positions turned into titles of civil ranks, regardless of the actual responsibilities of their representatives.

Retired titles

The ranks of the 5th class (state councilor/brigadier) stood apart; they were not classified as either generals or officers; they were entitled to the following address - “your honor.”

Ranks, although this was not specifically stated, were given exclusively to men. Wives entered into the rank corresponding to their husbands, and unmarried girls were considered several ranks lower than their fathers. A rule was also introduced according to which for demanding places and honors above one’s rank during official meetings and public celebrations, a fine was imposed, which was equal to two months’ salary of this person, of which 2/3 of the money was to be received by the informer. The same fine was provided for giving up one's position to a person of lower rank. Livery, crew, lifestyle - everything must be in accordance with the rank held.

Preference for military ranks by Peter I

Peter I, emphasizing in everything his preference for the civilian military, did not want to establish corresponding first-class ranks for persons in the civil service. But, succumbing to Osterman’s persuasion, for reasons of diplomatic prestige, he equated the rank of chancellor (head of some diplomatic department) with him.

The rank of Privy Councilor, First Class, was established only later. Peter's preference was also expressed in the fact that if in the army with the rank of 14th class hereditary nobility was achieved, then in the civil service - only with the rank of collegiate assessor (8th class, staff officer rank). Starting from 1856, for this it was necessary to obtain the rank of general, that is, to become an actual state councilor.

Also indicative in this regard is the rather low rank (not even general) that the president of the “state” college had, that is, the minister, according to European standards.

Subsequently, ministers received the ranks of Privy Councilor and Actual Privy Councilor.

Influence on the nobility and society

With the introduction of this law, the ancient ranks (okolnichy, boyars) were not formally abolished, but since then their appointments have ceased. The “Table of Ranks” had a great influence on the historical destinies of the nobility, as well as on the official routine. Only personal merit became the only regulator of official position. Breed, “fatherly honor” has lost all meaning in this regard. This is the main historical significance of such a document as the “Table of Ranks” in Tsarist Russia.

The military was separated from the court. The acquisition of nobility by grant of the monarch, personal achievement, was legitimized. This generally influenced the democratization of the nobility, the consolidation of its service character, as well as the division of this class into new groups - personal and local.

The rank of the lowest class in military service (14th class, fendrik, and later, from 1730 - ensign) immediately provided the right to acquire nobility for all descendants. Later, with the Manifesto of 1845, it began to be given only to the 8th grade, and in the civil service - to the 5th.

Quite often in my correspondence a situation arises when a person writes: “My great-great-grandfather was an officer (or official), and therefore probably a nobleman.” Since this statement is not always correct, it is time to write about the “Table of Ranks”, about who had the right to nobility and who did not. Moreover, the issue is topical; now they are also going to introduce something like this “report card”. Our civil service will be divided into state civil, military and law enforcement service, a unified register of positions will be created, and qualification ranks will be replaced with “class ranks.” Today we have 15 qualification categories: from civil service assistant to full-time state adviser of the Russian Federation, 1st class. 19 military ranks will be equal to 15 qualification categories of civil servants. The difference is leveled by the fact that all sergeant ranks, as well as warrant officer ranks, will receive a single qualification rank. But let's go back to the past:
First, you can see what officials of various classes looked like; photographs add a lot to the perception of the past - http://geg.chem.usu.ru/tagil_museum/Home.htm, and let's get started.

What it is?

So, on January 24, 1722, Peter I approved the Law on the procedure for civil service in the Russian Empire (ranks by seniority and sequence of ranks). It was a table and explanatory text.
All ranks were divided into three types: military, state (civilian) and courtiers and were divided into fourteen classes. When created, this table included both ranks and positions (262 positions); at the end of the 18th century, only ranks remained there.
Military ranks were declared superior to their corresponding civil and even court ranks. Such seniority gave advantages to military ranks in the transition to the upper nobility.
Until 1884, ranks in the guard were considered two classes higher than in the army, and from 1884 - one class higher. When transferring from the guard to the army, the class of the officer remained the same, for example, a guard ensign became an army lieutenant. Transfer from the guard to the army at the “previous rank” is punishment and demotion.
Actually, the ranks directly gave almost no material benefits to their owners, with the exception that in the 19th century. According to ranks, per diems, daily allowances and rent were assigned, and only in very rare cases - a salary. However, according to the ranks, gifts were made based on service, and holders of the ranks of the first five classes received such gifts with the image of the emperor's monogram.
Titles should be distinguished from ranks (adjutant general, adjutant general, secretary of state, etc.), since they were only honorary titles, usually associated with granting the person who has them certain rights and benefits (in particular, the rights to the corresponding uniform, participation in court ceremonies). As a rule, titles were consistent with the ranks of ranks and positions, but were not directly related to them.
The first legislative act introducing academic degrees (1803) established a correspondence between them and the Table of Ranks: if a candidate entered the civil service, he received the rank of class XII (provincial secretary), master - IX (titular councilor), doctor - VIII (collegiate assessor). In the middle of the 19th century, the correspondence between an academic degree and class status was legally formalized: for example, a candidate from the bourgeois class became a “personal honorary citizen,” and a master or doctor received “personal nobility.” The university charter of 1884 fixed the ratio of ranks and positions for holders of academic degrees: “rector - IV class (actual state councilor), dean and ordinary professor - V class (state councilor), extraordinary professor - VI class (college councilor); lower-ranking teachers - VII-VIII classes (court councilor, collegiate assessor)." In general, everything was tied to this report card, for example, pharmacists used the rank of 9th class, pharmacists - 10th, and gezels - 14th.
The way people addressed each other depended on their position in the table of ranks, although not only on this, but also on their position and origin. Well, depending on who addresses whom, you don’t think that the Field Marshal General addressed some Fendrik “Your Honor”? So, first we will write how it was supposed to address a person by rank, and at the end of the newsletter - about all sorts of subtleties. This is, of course, not a genealogical question, but with the holiday looming, some levity is in order, I think.

I class

I-II class ranks were addressed as “Your Excellency.”
Civil ranks 1st class (in 1722-1917) - Chancellor, Actual Privy Councilor 1st class. In the Army (infantry) the rank of 1st class in 1722, 1730, 1798 and 1884-1917 was Field Marshal General. In the navy, the rank of 1st class in 1722, 1764, 1798, 1884, 1907, 1912-1917 - admiral general.

II class

Civil rank 2nd class (in 1722-1917) - Actual Privy Councilor. Court ranks in 1722 - Chief Marshal, from the 19th century to 1917 - Chief Chamberlain, Chief Chamberlain, Chief Marshal, Chief Schenk, Chief Horseman, Chief Jägermeister. In the Army (infantry) rank of 2nd class in 1722 - General of the Infantry, 1730 - General in Chief, 1798 and 1884-1917 - General of the Infantry. In the Army (cavalry) the rank of 2nd class in 1730 was General-in-Chief, in 1798 and 1884-1917 - General of the Cavalry. The Cossacks had the rank of 2nd class in 1798, 1884-1917 - General of the cavalry. In the navy, the rank of 2nd class in 1722, 1764, 1798, 1884, 1907, 1912-1917 - Admiral.

III class

The ranks of III-IV class were addressed as “Your Excellency.”
Civil rank 3rd class in 1722-1917 - Privy Councilor. Court ranks in 1722 - Chief of the Horse, from the 19th century to 1917 - Chamberlain, Chamber Marshal, Master of the Horse, Jägermeister, Chief of Ceremonies. In the Guard (infantry and cavalry), the rank of 3rd class since 1748 is colonel. In the Army (infantry) rank of 3rd class in 1722 - Lieutenant General, 1730 - Lieutenant General, in 1798 and 1884-1917 - Lieutenant General. In the Army (cavalry) rank of 3rd class in 1798 and 1884-1917 - Lieutenant General. The Cossacks had the rank of 3rd class in 1798, 1884-1917 - Lieutenant General. In the navy, the rank of 3rd class in 1722, 1764, 1798, 1884, 1907, 1912-1917 - Vice Admiral.

IV class

Civil rank 4th class in 1722-1917 - Actual State Councilor. Court ranks in 1722 - Chief Chamberlain, Chief Chamberlain, from the 19th century to 1917 - Chamberlain. In the Guard (infantry) the rank of 4th class in 1722 and 1730 was colonel, in 1748 lieutenant colonel. In the Guard (cavalry) the rank of 4th class in 1748 was lieutenant colonel. In the Army (infantry and cavalry) the rank of 4th class in all periods is Major General. The Cossacks had the rank of 4th class in 1798, 1884-1917 - Major General. In the navy, the rank of 4th class in 1722, 1764 - Schoutbenacht, 1798, 1884, 1907, 1912-1917 - Rear Admiral.

Lyrical digression - orders

Order of the White Eagle, included in the Russian orders in 1831 (the motto is “For Faith, the Tsar and the Law”), could be received by officials and military personnel who were not lower than IV class in the Table of Ranks. So, if your ancestors had one, then they were probably nobles.
Speaking of orders.
Order of St. George(not the St. George Cross, which was a soldier's cross, but an order) was given only to officers, not many people were awarded it, they were all nobles.
Order of Alexander Nevsky Only a major general could receive it, and the recipient immediately became a lieutenant general (if he was not one), while a civilian leader acquired the rank of privy councilor.
Order of St. Vladimir, “who undertook many labors for the sake of enlightening Russia through holy baptism,” was divided into four degrees. He was awarded (the motto is “Benefit, honor and glory”) mainly for his services in the civilian field, but it was not excluded that he could also be awarded for military exploits. Any degree of the order until 1900 gave the recipient hereditary nobility, but then the 4th degree was removed from this rule.
Order of Saint Anne(in Russia in 1797, the motto is “To those who love truth, piety and fidelity”, a red ribbon with a yellow border) the third degree could be received by a lieutenant (in the civil service - a collegiate secretary), and the second degree (Anna on the neck) - who was listed in the ranks not lower than VIII class. The rank of state councilor (V class) and Anna of the second degree, decorated with diamonds, were received in 1828 by Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov, who returned from Persia and the Turkmanchay Peace Treaty. The first degree badges (cross, ribbon and star) were awarded to Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin in 1816 for his “Note on Ancient and New Russia”. The fourth degree of the order was established in 1815 by Alexander I. Until 1845, all degrees of the order gave the rights of hereditary nobility, and later - only the first degree, the remaining degrees granted the cavalier only personal nobility.
Order of St. Stanislaus(the motto is “Rewarding encourages”) became part of the Russian orders in 1831. At first the order had four degrees, but in 1839 Nicholas I abolished the lowest degree: from 1845, for ten years, the second and third degrees were not awarded in order to block the “easy” for lower officials the path to acquiring hereditary nobility."
Orders complained strictly in order of precedence (except St. George). The one who was awarded the Order of St. Andrew became simultaneously a holder of the orders of Alexander Nevsky, the White Eagle, the first degrees of St. Anna and St. Stanislav; there was simply nothing further to reward him with. The same order could be received only once. Each person was supposed to wear only one, the highest degree, removing the badges of the lower degrees (in the beginning they were even handed over to the order chapter). The exceptions were the Orders of St. Vladimir and St. George - their owner was obliged to wear crosses of all classes, as well as the Orders of St. Anne and St. Stanislav with swords, which were worn "with all senior orders and with the highest degrees of this order."
But let's return to the Table of Ranks.

V class

V class ranks were addressed as “Your Highness.”
Civil rank 5th class in 1722-1917 - State Councilor. Court ranks in 1722 - Chief Chamberlain, Chief Chamberlain Master of the Empress, Chamberlain Master, Secret Cabinet Secretary, Chief Master of Ceremonies, from the 19th century to 1917 - Chamber Junker, Master of Ceremonies. In the Guard (infantry) the rank of 5th class in 1722 - Lieutenant Colonel, 1730 - Lieutenant Colonel, 1748 - Prime Major. In the Guard (cavalry) the rank of class in 1748 was Prime Major. In the Army (infantry) the rank of 5th class in 1722 and 1730 - Brigadier. In the Army (cavalry) rank of 5th class in 1730 - Brigadier. In the navy, the rank of 5th class in 1722 - Captain-Commander, 1764 - Captain of brigadier rank, 1798 - Captain-Commander (until 1827).
The law of December 9, 1856 established personal nobility for all types of services from class IX. The military of this class are already nobles.

VI class

The ranks of the VI, VII, VIII classes were addressed as “Your Honor.”
Civil rank 6th class in 1722-1917 - Collegiate Councilor. Court ranks in 1722 - Chief Jägermeister, acting. Chamberlain, Marshal, Master of Horse, 1st Life Medicus, from the 19th century to 1917 - Chamberlain Fourier. In the Guard (infantry) rank of 6th class in 1722 - Major, 1730 - Major, 1748 - Second Major, 1798-1917 - Colonel. In the Guard (cavalry) rank of 6th class in 1748 - Second Major, 1798 - Colonel, 1884-1917 Colonel. In the Army (infantry and cavalry) the rank of 6th class in all periods is Colonel. The dragoons had the rank of 6th class colonel in 1798. The Cossacks had the rank of 6th class in 1798, 1884-1917 - colonel. In the navy, the rank of 6th class in 1722, 1764, 1798, 1884, 1907, 1912-1917 - Captain 1st rank.
Alexander II, by decree of December 9, 1856, limited the right to receive hereditary nobility to the rank of colonel (6th class), and in the civil department - to the rank of 4th class (actual state councilor).

VII class

Civil rank of the 7th class in 1722-1917 - Court Councilor. Court ranks in 1722 - Chamberlain and Life Medicus under the Empress, Master of Ceremonies. In the Guard (infantry) the rank of 7th class in 1722, 1730, 1748 and 1798-1917 - Captain. In the guard (cavalry) the rank of 7th class in 1730, 1748, 1798 and 1884-1917 - Captain. In the Army (infantry and cavalry) the rank of 7th class in all periods is Lieutenant Colonel. The dragoons had the rank of 7th class in 1798 - Lieutenant Colonel. The Cossacks had the rank of 7th class in 1798 - Lieutenant Colonel, in 1884-1917 - Military Foreman. In the navy, the rank of 7th class in 1722, 1764, 1798, 1884, 1907, 1912-1917 - Captain 2nd rank.
The law of December 9, 1856 established personal nobility for all types of services from class IX.

VIII class

Civil rank of the 8th class in 1722-1917 - Collegiate Assessor. Court ranks in 1722 - Titular Chamberlain, Master of Horse, Court Quartermaster. In the Guard (infantry) the rank of 8th class in 1722 - Lieutenant Captain, in 1730 and 1748 - Lieutenant Captain, 1798-1917 - Staff Captain. In the guard (cavalry) the rank of 8th class in 1730 and 1748 - Second Captain, in 1798 and 1884-1917 - Staff Captain. In the Army (infantry) the rank of 8th class in 1722 - Major, 1730 - Major, from 1767 prime major and second major, 1798 - Major, 1884-1917 - Captain. In the Army (cavalry) rank of 8th class in 1730 - Major, 1798 - Major, 1884-1917 - Captain. The Cossacks had the rank of 8th class in 1798 - Military foreman, 1884-1917 - Esaul. In the navy, the rank of 8th class in 1722 - Captain 3rd rank, 1764 - Captain-lieutenant, 1798 - Captain-lieutenant, 1907 - Captain-lieutenant (until 1911), 1912-1917 - Senior lieutenant.
According to the Manifesto of June 11, 1845, hereditary nobility was acquired with promotion to the rank of staff officer (8th class). Children born before the father received hereditary nobility constituted a special category of chief officer children, and one of them, at the request of the father, could be given hereditary nobility.
The law of December 9, 1856 established personal nobility for all types of services from class IX.

IX class

The ranks from IX to XIV grade were addressed as “Your Honor.”
Civil rank of 9th class in 1722-1917 - Titular Councilor. Court ranks in 1722 - Court Jägermeister, Court Master of Ceremonies, Chamber-Junker, Ober-Kuchenmeister, from the 19th century to 1917 - Hoff-Fourier. In the Guard (infantry) the rank of 9th class in 1722 - Lieutenant, in 1730, 1748, 1798-1917 - Lieutenant. In the Guard (cavalry) rank of 9th class in 1730, 1748, 1798, 1884-1917 - Lieutenant. In the Army (infantry) the rank of 9th class in 1722, 1730, 1798 - Captain, in 1884-1917 - Staff Captain. In the Army (cavalry) the rank of 9th class in 1798 was Captain, in 1884-1917 - Staff Captain. The dragoons had the rank of 9th class in 1798 - Captain. The Cossacks had the rank of 9th class in 1798 - Esaul, 1884-1917 - Podjesaul. In the navy, the rank of 9th class in 1722 - Lieutenant Captain, 1764 - Lieutenant, 1798 - Lieutenant, 1884 - Lieutenant, 1907 - Lieutenant and senior. lieutenant, 1912-1917 - Lieutenant.
The law of December 9, 1856 established personal nobility for all types of services from class IX.

X class

Civil rank of the 10th class in 1722-1917 - Collegiate Secretary. In the Guard (infantry) the rank of 10th class in 1722 - Non-Commissioned Lieutenant, in 1730, 1748, 1798-1917 - Second Lieutenant. In the guard (cavalry) the rank of 10th class in 1730 and 1748 - Second Lieutenant, in 1884-1917 - Cornet. In the Army (infantry) the rank of 10th class in 1722 - Lieutenant Captain, 1730 - Lieutenant Captain, 1798 - Staff Captain, 1884-1917 - Lieutenant. In the Army (cavalry) the rank of 10th class in 1798 - Staff Captain, in 1884-1917 - Lieutenant. The dragoons had the rank of 10th class in 1798 - Staff Captain. The Cossacks had the rank of 10th class in 1884-1917 - Sotnik. In the navy, the rank of 10th class in 1722 - Lieutenant, in 1884, 1907, 1912-1917 - Midshipman.

XI class

Civil rank 11th class in 1722-1917 - Ship's secretary. In the navy, rank of 11th class in 1722, 1764 - Naval Secretary.
By the law of December 9, 1856, ranks from grades XIV to X received the title of “honorary citizens.”

XII class

Civil rank of 12th class in 1722-1917 - Provincial Secretary. Court officials in 1722 - Gough-cadet, court physician. In the guard (infantry) the rank of 12th class in 1722 was Fendrik, in 1730 - ensign. In the guard (cavalry) the rank of 12th class in 1798 was cornet. In the Army (infantry) the rank of 12th class in 1722 - Lieutenant, in 1730, 1798 - Lieutenant, 1884-1917 - Second Lieutenant. In the Army (cavalry) rank of 12th class in 1798 Lieutenant, 1884-1917 - Cornet. The dragoons had the rank of 12th class in 1798 - Lieutenant. The Cossacks had the rank of 12th class in 1798 - Sotnik, 1884-1917 - Cornet. In the navy, the rank of 12th class in 1722 - Non-Commissioned Lieutenant, 1764, 1798 - Midshipman.
According to the decree of the Governing Senate of January 16, 1721 and the Table of Ranks of 1722 (points 5, 11 and 15), all combatant commanders of the fleet who reached the rank of non-commissioned lieutenant (XII class) received hereditary nobility.
By the law of December 9, 1856, ranks from grades XIV to X received the title of “honorary citizens.”

XIII class

Civil rank of the 13th class in 1722-1917 - Provincial Secretary. In the Army (infantry) the rank of 13th class in 1722 - Non-Commissioned Lieutenant, 1730 - Second Lieutenant, 1798 - Second Lieutenant, 1884-1917 - Reserve Ensign. The dragoons had the rank of 13th class in 1798 - Second Lieutenant. In the navy, the rank of 13th class was midshipman in 1758-1764, midshipman in 1860-1882.
According to the decree of the Governing Senate of January 16, 1721 and the Table of Ranks of 1722 (points 5, 11 and 15), all navigators who reached the rank of skipper of the 2nd rank (XIII class) received hereditary nobility.
By the law of December 9, 1856, ranks from grades XIV to X received the title of “honorary citizens.”

XIV class

Civil rank of the 14th class in 1722-1917 - Collegiate Registrar. Court ranks in 1722 - Chamberlain of Pages, Kitchen Master, Mundshenk. In the Army (infantry) the rank of 14th class in 1722 - Fendrik, in 1730, 1798 - Ensign. In the Army (cavalry) the rank of 14th class in 1798 was Cornet. The Cossacks had the rank of 14th class in 1798.
Under Peter, already the 14th class of the "Table" for the army (Fendrik, from 1730 - ensign) gave the right to hereditary nobility (in the civil service, hereditary nobility was acquired by the rank of 8th class - collegiate assessor, and the rank of collegiate registrar - 14- th class, gave the right only to personal nobility).
By the law of December 9, 1856, ranks from grades XIV to X received the title of “honorary citizens.”

And now, as I promised, about conversion.

When writing from lower persons to higher ones, all 3 titles were used, for example: “To His Excellency, Comrade Minister of Finance, Privy Councilor (name).” From the middle of the 19th century. rank and surname began to drop.
When addressing lower ranks, only the position was indicated.
Persons of the same rank addressed each other, indicating only the position, or by name and patronymic, putting down the title and surname in the margins of the document; for example, in the margins “To His Excellency (name)”, and in the text “Dear Sir N” or “Your Excellency N.”.
The honorary titles of Senator and Secretary of State of His Majesty were included in circulation, and the rank was omitted.
Persons who did not have ranks, but had an honorary title, were addressed according to the class of rank to which it was equated.
When addressed orally, the highest civil ranks were titled lower in accordance with their rank class or position. When addressing inferiors or equals, the name and surname or position were mentioned. In military service, generals were titled by rank (“Your Excellency”), incl. and when communicating between equal ranks. Staff and chief officers were called by junior officers and ensigns by rank, adding the word “Mr.” (“Mr. Captain”); the lieutenant colonel, staff captain, staff captain and second lieutenant were called colonel, captain, captain and lieutenant.
The lower ranks of officers were called “Your Honor”, ​​“Your Honor”.
Soldiers addressed lieutenant officers and non-commissioned officers by rank, adding the word "Mr.": "Mr. Sergeant Major."
The elders addressed the younger ones, calling them by rank or by rank and surname: “Lieutenant Ivanov.” The lower ranks were called simply by their surname, and only the senior boatswains and conductors were called by rank and surname: “Senior boatswain Petrov.”
Court ladies were titled in accordance with the class to which their title was equated. Wives and daughters were given the title of husband or father; widows retained the title of their deceased husband.
Titled nobility was addressed in accordance with their title; barons and untitled nobles were called “Your Honor” by commoners.
Titles by origin replaced all other forms of address for titled nobles: the elders called such persons “prince”, “count”, “baron”, and the younger ones “Your Grace”, “Your Excellency”. Ladies addressed titled nobles as elders to younger ones. But in general, in good society, titles, especially by rank, were more often omitted and addressed by first name and patronymic, making, however, an exception for elderly people and generals.
Special forms of address, in accordance with the rank, were used for the clergy. Bishops were more often titled "Vladyko".
Members of the Imperial family were titled in accordance with their position: “Your Imperial Majesty”, “Your Imperial Highness”, “Your Grace”; The Emperor and Empress were also addressed in a long conversation: “Sovereign” and “Empress”.
When addressing persons whose rank, rank and title were not known, they said “Sir” or “Mister”, more officially - “Dear Sir”.
Commoners addressed everyone who had a noble appearance with the word “lord” or “your honor”, ​​and those who looked like a merchant - “your lordship”.
Gentlemen addressed commoners, for example, servants: “dearest”, “dearest”, etc.

01/24/1722 (02/06). - Peter I approved the “Table of Ranks” - a list of military and civilian ranks of the Russian Empire

Discussion: 8 comments

Both in the USSR and in the current Russian Federation, the construction of state power is based on the introduced system of Peter 1 (table of ranks). This system in itself is very harmful and anti-state, which naturally is what the enemies of Russia take advantage of from time to time! The dominant principle of managing our society is respect for rank, that is, it is enough to put “your person” at the very top of the hierarchical power and you can do whatever you want. The Jews take advantage of this flaw, penetrating the power structures and the administrative apparatus. Before the Jews there were Germans, and where are they now?

It seems that either errors crept in during the copying from the original, or the original was composed by a not very knowledgeable person.
1. Only black clergy are “revered”
2. A deacon cannot be a “blesser”, because does not bless anyone. Deacon - “Your gospel”, protodeacon and archdeacon - “Your high gospel”
etc.

We thank reader Michael, corrections have been made. The errors were contained in the indicated source - the Imperial Courier.

Please tell me, why did Peter 1 need a table of ranks?

In the article: "... and ranks up to the XIV and VII classes were given only by personal nobility." There is nonsense in the text, because there were NO ranks up to the XIV class.
In the XIX-early XX centuries. in the Cossack troops there were the ranks of major general, lieutenant general, cavalry general (cavalry generals M.I. Platov and P.N. Krasnov, etc.).

The only nonsense is in the preposition “before”, which I removed. Essentially correct. On Wikipedia we read the same thing: “Already the 14th class of the “Table” (Fendrik, ensign from 1730) gave the right to hereditary nobility (in the civil service, hereditary nobility was acquired by the rank of the 8th class - collegiate assessor, and the rank of collegiate registrar (14th grade) gave the right to personal nobility)".

In the table of ranks presented, there is no indication of the military and naval rank in the 5th class. I would like to clarify. In the 18th century, the military rank of the 5th class was Brigadier. Marine - captain-commander. Court - until 1884 - chamber-fourier, and from 1884 - master of ceremonies. Remember from Pushkin: “The humble sinner Dmitry Larin, the Lord’s servant and foreman, tastes peace under this stone.” Subsequently, this title was abolished. If it is not difficult for the editor, then I ask you to make an amendment to class 5.

On January 24 (February 2), 1722, Peter I approved the Law on the procedure for civil service in the Russian Empire, that is, ranks by seniority and the sequence of ranks. The “Table of Ranks” introduced a new classification of serving people: the place of the aristocratic hierarchy, breed and pedigree books was taken by the bureaucratic hierarchy, merit and length of service. In one of the articles attached to the report card, it was explained that the nobility of the family in itself, without service, means nothing: people of noble birth are not given any position until they show merit to the sovereign and the fatherland and for these “honors and ranks” will receive. The most important thing is that Peter’s “Table”, defining a place in the hierarchy of the civil service, gave the opportunity to advance to talented people from the lower classes: “So that they would be willing to apply for service and honor them, and not impudent and parasites would receive.” The “report card,” in addition to the table itself, had 19 more points of explanatory text, including fines for violating it.

The preparation of this law (“Table of Ranks”) began back in 1719 and was a natural continuation of the reforms, as a result of which the number of positions in the army and state apparatus increased. The “Table” was based on similar acts that already existed in Western European countries (France, Sweden and, especially, Denmark and Prussia). When developing the law, the ranks that already existed in Russia were also taken into account. Having corrected the draft draft with his own hand and signed it, the Tsar submitted it for consideration by the Senate, Military and Admiralty Collegiums. Despite the fact that the boards made a number of comments about the placement of ranks by rank and salary, the introduction of ancient Russian ranks into the table and the elimination of the clause on fines for occupying a place in the church above one’s rank, all these comments were left without consideration. Although with the introduction of the “Table of Ranks” the ancient Russian ranks (boyars, okolnichy, etc.) were not abolished, the granting of these ranks ceased.

All newly established positions were arranged according to the table in three rows: military, civilian and court, with each divided into 14 ranks (classes): 6 chief officer ranks (from ensign to captain in the army and from collegiate registrar to titular councilor in the civil service ); 5 staff officers (from major to brigadier and from collegiate assessor to state councilor, respectively); 3 generals (from major general to field marshal and from actual state councilor to actual privy councilor). A similar ladder with 14 levels of ranks was introduced in the navy and for court service.

It is interesting that the law did not explain in any way the concept of “rank” itself, due to which some historians considered the latter only in the system of rank production, others - as one or another position (Petrine’s “Table of Ranks” numbered 263 positions). Most likely, the “Table” included both concepts. But positions were gradually excluded from it at the end of the 18th century. disappear completely. The names of a number of civil positions became civil ranks, regardless of the responsibilities of their holders. For example, the titles of the ranks “collegiate secretary”, “collegiate assessor”, “collegiate councilor” and “state councilor” initially meant the positions of secretary of the collegium, member of the collegium council with an advisory and casting vote, and president of the “state” collegium. The rank of court councilor, which meant the chairman of the court court, did not disappear with the abolition of court courts in 1726.

Despite the principle of bureaucratic seniority, the comments to the Table provided for an exception to the rule: the princes of the imperial blood had in all cases the presidency over the other princes and “high servants.” According to the Table, military ranks were declared superior to their corresponding civilian and even courtiers. Only later did they lose the right of seniority in the 1st and 2nd grades. Such seniority gave advantages to military ranks in the main thing - the transition to the upper nobility. Already the 14th class of the “Table” (Fendrik, ensign from 1730) gave the right to hereditary nobility. Whereas in the civil service, hereditary nobility was acquired by the rank of 8th class (collegiate assessor).

The rank of collegiate registrar (14th grade) gave the right only to personal nobility. In this regard, the relatively low rank that the president of the “state” college was entitled to is indicative. However, Peter, under the influence of Osterman and for reasons of diplomatic prestige, equated the rank of chancellor as the head of the diplomatic department to first class.

As for the guards regiments, here the senior rank was the 4th - colonel, and the junior (12th) - fendrik. That is, the ranks in the guard were initially two ranks ahead of the army. In addition to the seniority of ranks, there was a seniority among holders of the same rank based on the time of award to it.

Due to the fact that the service opened up access to the nobility to wide sections of the population, the genealogical composition of the class changed. Although the hereditary title of nobility extended only to children born after the father received the rank. In another case, a nobleman could ask for the grant of nobility to one of the children born before receiving the corresponding rank.

A statutory address was also developed according to the class: Your Excellency for grades 1 and 2, Your Excellency for grades 3 and 4, Your Excellency for grades 5, Your Excellency for grades 6-8, Your Excellency for grades 9-14. Each must have a crew and livery appropriate to his rank. Married wives were considered equal in rank to their husbands, while girls were considered several ranks lower than their fathers. For demanding honors and places above rank at public celebrations and official meetings, a fine equal to two months' salary of the person being fined was imposed. At the same time, a third went to the benefit of the informer, and the rest - for the maintenance of hospitals. Public punishment in the square and torture entailed the loss of rank, which could be returned only for special merits publicly announced by personal decree.

The legislation of Peter the Great's time was characterized by the desire to form a noble bureaucracy and to deny access to the upper layers of the bureaucracy to people from unprivileged classes. It was these tasks that were met by the new principles of organizing the civil service, enshrined in the decrees of 1720-1722. and, among other things, in the “Table of Ranks”. First of all, for the nobles, civil service was recognized as compulsory as military service, which was unpleasant news for them. In 1722, nobles were summoned to the capital for a review to staff new institutions. For refusal to serve, nobles were deprived of their estates.

To train experienced officials at collegiums and other institutions, the position of a cadet collegium was introduced. That is, the nobles were required to go through all levels of the civil service, starting from the 14th grade of the Table. As the “General Regulations” stated: “... other than this path, no one can be promoted to the highest degree and to the ministerial rank.” While the lowest level of civil administration (clerical positions) were transferred beyond the boundaries of the nobility class. With a well-functioning system of training officials from the cadet college, the possibility of clerical employees receiving nobility was reduced to a minimum.

But given the rejection of the order service by the nobles and the constant lack of orders, class restrictions on entry into the civil service were no longer in effect under Peter I. Because of this, the system of organizing the civil service, aimed at creating a noble bureaucracy, in practice turned out to be ineffective, despite all the government measures, in including forced ones. For example, in 1724, 100 people were selected from the noble children who studied at the Academy of Sciences to join the college. Already the decree of January 31, 1724 “On the non-promotion of secretaries to those who are not nobles” violated the monopoly of the nobles on secretarial positions, allowing the Senate to promote as secretaries those clerks “who show a noble deed”, rewarding them with the nobility. However, this should not be considered as a retreat of the emperor from the principles of public administration reform. This decree can be regarded as a concession to the non-noble strata of the bureaucracy to encourage its most experienced and worthy representatives. Another thing is that the law turned out to be a time bomb embedded in the foundation of the civil service.

Public administration reforms under Peter I ensured, instead of the traditional organization, the creation in Russia of bureaucratic higher, central and local bodies based on the principles of rationalism, uniformity of organizational structure and office work. The political elite in Russia received a dichotomous structure characteristic of the mobilization type of development - the supreme power and the ruling class. A layer of people was formed who were permanently in the public service, as well as the administrative elite of Russia, which included the first four (“general”) classes and, with some reservations, the top of the staff officer ranks of the 5th and 6th classes.

However, Peter’s “Table of Ranks” was constantly changing for almost two centuries. We have already said that the ranks that meant positions received the independent meaning of honorary titles. For promotion to some ranks, shortened deadlines were established for nobles. The ranks that gave the right of hereditary nobility were raised. And in 1917, the “Table of Ranks” was abolished.

Table of ranks of all ranks, Military, Civil and Court, which are in which rank; and who are in the same class, they have the seniority of the time of entry into rank among themselves, however, Military ones are higher than others,
even if someone in that class was older.

Class.	Military.				Civil.	Courtiers.
	Overland.	Guard.	Artille- Riyan.	Marine.
1.	General Feld Marshal.			General Admiral	Chancellor
2.	Generals of the Cavalry and Infantry, Stadtholder.		General Felzeig-meister.	Admirals of other flags.	Actual Privy Councillors.	Chief Marshal.
3.	General-Lieutenants, Knights of St. Andrew, General-Kriegs-Commissar.		General Ley Tenant.	Vice Admirals, General Kriegs-Commissar.	Prosecutor General.	Ober-Stalmeister.
4.	Major Generals.	Colonel.	Major General, Major General from the fortification.	Schautbe-nakhty, Ober-Zeig-meister.	Presidents from the Collegiums and State Offices. Privy Advisors. Chief Prosecutor.	Chief Chamberlain, Chief Chamberlain.
5.	Brigadiers Oberster-Kriegs-Kommissar. General-Provision-Meister.	Lieutenant Colonels.	Colonels from the artillery.	Captains Commanders, Captain over the port of Kronshlotsky, Ober-Sarvaer from the ship's structure, Quartermaster, Zeig-meister, Ober-Ster-Kriegs-Commissar.	Herald-Maester, General Rocket-Maester. Chief Master of Ceremonies. Ober-Wald-meister or high overseer of forests. Vice-Presidents from the Collegiums. General-Police Master. Director of buildings. Postal Director General. Archiater.	Chamberlain. Ober-Gof-Stalmeister. Secret Cabinet Secretary. Chief Chamberlain to Her Majesty the Empress. Ober-Schenk.
6.	Colonels Treasurers. Chief Provision Master. Chief Commissar. Generals Adjutants. Prosecutor. Generals, Quartermasters, Lieutenants.	Majors.	Lieutenant colonels from the artillery. Colonels Engineers. Chief Commissar.	Captains of the first rank. Captains under other ports. Ship's sarvaer. Prosecutor. Quartermaster of a particular shipyard in St. Petersburg. Treasurer. Chief Provision Master. Chief Commissar.	Prosecutors in State Collegiums. Presidents in the Courts of Justice. Offices of Privy Councilors in the Foreign Collegium. Chief Secretary of the Senate. States-Commissar. Chief Rentmeister in the Residence. Advisors in the Collegiums.	Ringmaster. Actual Chamberlains. Marshal. Ober-Jägermeister. First Life-Medicus.
7.	Lieutenant Colonels, General Auditors. General Provision Masters Lieutenants. Generals Wagenmeisters. Generals Geval-diger. Generals Adjutants to General Field Marshal. Controller.	Captains.	Majors. Lieutenant Colonels Engineers Chief Controller.	Captains of the second rank. Controller.	Vice-Presidents in the Courts of Justice. Military, Admiralty, Foreign Collegiums Chief Secretaries. Executor of the Senate. Ober-Fiscal State. Prosecutors at the Courts of Justice. Master of Ceremonies.	Chamberlain Master to Her Majesty the Empress. Life Medicus under Her Majesty the Empress.
8.	Majors. Generals Adjutants to the full generals. Generals Auditors Lieutenants. Ober-Kvar-termistr. Ober-Fiscal. Tsalmeister.	Captain. Leite-nantes.	Major. Engineer. Captains. Stahl-meister. Ober Zeig Warter. Controller.	Captains of the third rank, Shipmasters of the Tsalmeister-Ober Fiscal.	Unter-Stattholder in the Residence. Savings-Galter. Regirungs-Rats in the Provinces. Chief Director of duties and excises in the Residence. Ober-Landrichter at the Residence. The President is in the Magistrate's Residence. Chief Commissars in the Collegiums. Assessors in the Boards. Chief Provision Master at the Residence. Chief Secretaries in other Boards. Secretaries in the Senate. Ober-Berg-meister. Ober-Wardein. Ober-Mintz-meister. Court Advisor. Forest warden. Voivodes.	Titular Chamberlains. Gough Rallymaster. Court Quartermaster.
9.	Captains. Wing Adjutants under the Field Marshal General, and under the Full Generals. Adjutants to Lieutenant Generals. Ober-Proviant-Meister. General-Staff-Quarter-Mr. Ober Auditors. Field Postmasters. Generals of Profos.	Leite-nantes.	Captains. Leyte-nantes. Captains Engineers. Chief Auditor. Quartermaster. Commissars at the gunpowder and saltpeter factories.	Captains. Leite-nantes. Gallery masters.	Titular Advisor. Two military, Foreign Collegiums Secretaries. Ober-Rent-Meister in the Provinces. Police Master at the Residence. Burgo-masters from the Magistrate, to be at the Residence without fail. Landrichters in the Provinces. Professors at the Academies. Doctors of all faculties that are found in the service. Archivists at both State Archives. Translator and Recorder of the Senate. Treasurer of the coin business. Assessors in the Courts of Justice in the Residence. Directors over duties in ports.	Court Jägermeister. Court Master of Ceremonies. Ober Kitchen Master. Kamer-Junkers.
10.	Captains Lieutenants.	Unter Leyte Nantes.	Leite-nantes. Captains Lieutenant Engineers. Auditor. Zeig warters. Ober-Wagen-meister. Captain over masterful people.	Leite-nantes.	Secretaries of other Boards. Burgo-masters from the Magistrate in the Provinces. Translators of the Military, Admiralty, Foreign. Proto-colists of the same Colleges. Ober-Economy Commissars in the Provinces. Chief Commissars in the Provinces. Assessors in the Courts of Justice in the Provinces, Ober-Zegentner. Berg-Meister. Ober Berg-Probier.
11.				Ship's secretaries.
12.	Lieutenants.	Fendry-ki.	Unter Leyte Nantes. Lieutenant Engineers. Furleit Lieutenants. Vagen-meisters.	Non-Commissioned Lieutenant. Shchipors of the first rank.	Secretaries in Courts and Chancelleries and Provinces. Chamberlain at the Collegiums. Ratmans in the Residence. Mints-meister. Forsht-meister. Giten-ferwalter. Mark shader.	Gough-Junkers. Court Doctor.
13.	Non-Commissioned Lieutenants. Wing Adjutants to Major Generals.		Bayonet junkers. Non-Commissioned Lieutenant Engineers.		Secretaries in the provinces. Mechanicus. Postmasters in St. Petersburg and Riga. Collegiate: Translators, Protocol sheets. Sentaskie: Actuary, Registrar.
14.	Fendricks. Wing Adjutants to the Lieutenant Generals and the Brigadiers of the Furier Headquarters.		Engineering Fendricks.	Ship commissars. Shchipors of the second rank. Konstapeli.	Commissars at the Collegiums. Fiscals under the Courts and Provinces. Cameras in the Provinces. Zemstvo Commissars. Assessors in Provincial Courts. Archivist, Actuary. Registrar and Accountants at the Boards. Zemstvo Rent Masters. Postmasters, in Moscow and in other noble cities where there are governors. College Junkers.	Courtmaster, Chamberlain of Pages. Gough Secretary. Nadvorny Librarian. Antiquarian. Nadvorny Kamerir. Court Auditor. Nadvorny Apartment Master. Outside Pharmacist. Shlos. Focht. Court Zeigmeister Office Couriers. Mundshank. Kitchen-meister. Keller-meister. Exercition Master. Nadvirny-barbir.

These points are attached to the table of ranks established above and how everyone should deal with these ranks.

1. Princes who come from Our blood, and those who are combined with Our Princesses: in all cases have chairmanship and rank over all Princes and high servants of the Russian State.

2. The sea and land in command are determined as follows: whoever is of the same rank with whom, although older in rank, at sea commands the sea over the land, and on land the land over the sea.

3. Whoever demands honors above his rank, or takes a position higher than the rank given to him, will pay a fine and 2 months’ salary for each case; and if someone serves without a salary, then pay him the same fine as the salaries of those ranks who are of equal rank with him and actually receive a salary; Of the fine money, the declarant is entitled to receive a third share, and the rest is to be used in the hospital. But this inspection of each rank is not required in such situations, when some, like good friends and neighbors, come together, or in public assemblies, but only in churches during the service of God at courtyard ceremonies, such as during the audience of ambassadors, ceremonial tables, at official congresses, at marriages , at baptisms, and similar public celebrations and burials; An equal fine should be given to those who give up a place to someone below their rank, which the fiscal must diligently monitor, so that they are willing to serve, and they receive honor, and not impudents and parasites; The above-mentioned fine is necessary for both male and female sexes for crimes.

4. Under an equal fine, no one has a rank to claim for himself until he has a proper patent to show for his rank.

5. Likewise, no one can take a rank based on the character that he received in other people’s services until we have confirmed that character to him, which confirmation We, according to the state of his merits, will willingly bestow.

6. Without a patent, abshid does not give rank to anyone, unless this abshid is given by Our hand.

7. All married wives act in ranks, according to the ranks of their husbands, and when they act contrary to this, then they have to pay the same fine as her husband would have to pay for his crime.

8. The sons of the Russian State of Princes, Counts, Barons, the most noble Nobility, and also servants of the most noble rank, although We allow for their noble race, or their fathers, noble ranks in the public assembly where the Court is located, free access over others of the lower rank, and willingly We want to see them distinguished from others in every case in dignity; however, We do not allow anyone of any rank until they show Us and the Fatherland any services and receive character for them.

9. On the contrary, all the girls whose fathers are in the 1st rank, until they are married, have a rank above all the wives who are in the 5th rank, namely, below Major General, and above Brigadier; and girls whose fathers are in the 2nd rank, over the wives who are in the 6th rank, that is, below the Brigadier, and above the Colonel; and girls whose fathers are in the 3rd rank are above the wives of the 7th rank, that is, below the Colonel, and above the Lieutenant Colonel, and so on, contrary to how the ranks follow.

10. Ladies and Maidens at the Court have, while they are actually in their ranks, the following ranks:

Chief Chamberlain of Her Majesty the Empress, has rank above all Ladies.

The Acting Ladies of State of Her Majesty the Empress follow the wives of the Acting Privy Councillors.

Actual Maids of the Chamber have rank with the wives of the Presidents of the Collegiums.

Gough Ladies, with the wives of the Brigadiers.

Gough-Maids, with the wives of the Colonels.

The Chamberlain and Our Crown Princes, with the Real Ladies of State, who are with Her Majesty the Empress.

The Chamber Maidens under the Tsesarevnas follow the Gough Ladies under Her Majesty the Empress.

The Gough Maidens of the Tsesarevna Empresses follow the Gough Maidens of Her Majesty the Empress.

11. All servants, Russian or foreign, who are in the first 8 ranks, or indeed were: they have legitimate children and descendants in eternal times, the best senior Nobility in all dignities and avantages are equally respected to be, even if they were of low breed, and before from the Crowned Heads they were never promoted to the dignity of nobility or provided with a coat of arms.

12. When one of Our high and low servants actually has two ranks or more, or has received a higher rank than the rank that he actually controls: then in all cases he has the rank of his highest rank. But when he sends his work at a lower rank, then in that place he cannot have his highest rank or title, but according to that rank to which he actually sends.

13. Since the civil ranks had not previously been disposed of, and for this reason no one, or it is very little, should be honored by anyone from the bottom to earn his rank from the top of the Nobles; and now the necessary need also requires higher ranks: for the sake of taking those who are suitable, even if they have not had any rank. But even though this rank will be offensive to military people who have received it for many years, and through such cruel service, they will see, without merit, their equal or higher: for the sake of the one who will be elevated to the rank, then he will deserve the rank for years, like follows. What for from the Senate, who will be granted what rank in the civil service out of order from the bottom, for the present need, from when onwards should their names be given to the Ober-Fiscal, so that the Fiscals can see that they carry out the ranks according to this decree. And so that from now on there will not be enough for vacancies, but in the order in which military ranks are promoted: for this reason, it is now necessary to have 6 or 7 people in the State Colleges of the College of Junkers, or less; and if more necessary, then from the report.

14. Noble children in the Colleges must be produced from below. Namely: first in the Collegium, the Junkers, if scientists, were certified by the Collegium, represented in the Senate, and received patents; and those who did not study, but for the sake of need and because of the impoverishment of scientists, were accepted: those were the first to be written to the Titular Collegium of Junkers, and to be there for those years without ranks, who have no ranks until the actual Collegium of Junkers.

		Years.	Months.
Against	Corporal	1
— —	Sergeant	1
— —	Fendrika	1	6
— —	Lieutenant	2
— —	Captain	2
— —	Major	2
— —	Lieutenant Colonel	2
— —	Colonels	3	6

The corporal's and sergeant's years should be read to those who have studied and truly learned what the Collegiate Boards should do. Namely, as regards the right court, also external and internal trades to the profit of the Empire and economy, which must be evidenced by them.

Those who are trained in the above-mentioned sciences, those from the College are sent to foreign lands several at a time, to practice that science.

And those who show noble services can be promoted to higher ranks for their labors, just as it is done in military service, whoever shows their service, but this can only be done in the Senate, and then with Our signature.

15. Military ranks who rise to the rank of Chief Officer not from the Nobles; then when someone receives the above rank, it is the Nobleman and his children who will be born in the Chief Officership; and if at that time there are no children, but there were before, and the father beats him with his forehead, then the Nobility will be given to those, only one son, for whom the father asks. Other ranks, both civil and courtiers, who are not from the Nobles in the Ranks, their children are not Nobles.

16. And yet it belongs to no one except Us and the other Crowned Heads, who is granted the Noble dignity with a coat of arms and a seal, and on the contrary, it has repeatedly turned out that some call themselves Nobles, but are not truly Nobles, while others arbitrarily accepted the coat of arms, whose ancestors they did not have them, lower from Our ancestors, or from foreign Crowned Heads given to them, and at the same time they take the courage, sometimes to choose such a coat of arms, which the owning Sovereigns and other noble families actually have; For this reason, We mercifully remind those to whom this concerns us that everyone should henceforth beware of such an indecent act, and of the subsequent dishonor and fines. It is announced to everyone that We have appointed a Master of Arms for this matter; and so everyone must come to him for this matter, and submit a report, and demand a decision, as it should be: who has the Nobility, and coats of arms on it, so as to prove that they or their ancestors had it from what inheritance, or through Our ancestors or Ours by grace they are brought in this honor. If someone cannot really prove this quickly, then they will be given a sentence of one and a half years; and then demand that he truly prove it, and if he does not prove it (and declares it authentically) to report it to the Senate; and in the Senate, having examined this, report to Us.

If anyone asks for an additional payment for obvious services, then inquire about that service, and if those who are truly deserving appear from among them, report this to the Senate, and present it to Us to the Senate. And those who have risen to the rank of Chief Officer, Russian or foreigner, both from the Nobility and not from the Nobility: those are given coats of arms depending on their merits. And those who, although they were not in military service and did not deserve anything, can prove that they are at least a hundred years old: and give such coats of arms. In Our service, foreigners who find themselves have either their diplomas or public certificates from the government of their fatherland to prove their Nobility and coat of arms.

17. Also the following ranks, namely: Presidents and Vice-Presidents in the Courts of Justice, Chief Landrichters in the Residence, President in the Magistrate in the Residence, Chief Commissars in the Colleges, Governors, Chief Rentmeisters, and Landrichters in the Governorates and Provinces, Treasurers in the Monetary Affairs, Directors of Duties in the Ports, Chief Economy Commissars in the Provinces, Chief Commissars in the Provinces, Assessors in the Courts in the Provinces, Chamberlains at the Collegiums, Ratmans in the Residence, Postmasters, Commissars at the Collegiums, Chamberlains in the Provinces , Zemstvo Commissars, Assessors in Provincial Courts, Zemstvo Rentmeisters, should not be honored as an eternal rank, but as a rank, both those described above and similar ones: for they are not ranks: for this reason they should have a rank while they are actually in their business . And when they change or leave, then they don’t have that rank.

18. Those who were dismissed for serious crimes, publicly punished in the square, or even though they were only naked, or were tortured, they are deprived of their title and rank, unless they are from Us for some service and under Our own hand and seal in perfect honor of them erected; and this will be publicly announced.

Interpretation about the tortured.

In torture, it happens that many villains, out of malice, bring others: for the sake of which he was tortured in vain, he cannot be considered dishonest, but he must be given Our letter with the circumstance of his innocence.

19. Because of this, the nobility and dignity of a person’s rank is often diminished when the attire and other actions are not consistent with those, just as many are ruined when they act in attire above their rank and property: for this reason We graciously remind that everyone is he had an outfit, crew, and livery, as his rank and character required. Accordingly, everyone should act and beware of the announced fine and greater punishment.

Anisimov E.V. State transformations and autocracy of Peter the Great in the first quarter of the 18th century. M., 1997.

Volkov S.V. The system of officer ranks in the Russian army // Volkov S.V. Russian officer corps. M.: Military Publishing House, 1993. pp. 38-49.

Pavlenko N.I. Peter the Great. M.: Mysl, 1990. 591 p.

Pisarkova L.F. From Peter I to Nicholas I: government policy in the field of formation of bureaucracy // Domestic history. 1996. No. 4. P. 29-43.

Shepelev L.V. The official world of Russia: XVIII - early XX centuries. St. Petersburg: Art-SPb., 1999. 479 p.

What are the main ranks according to the Table of Ranks?

Did the Report Card provide for exceptions to the seniority principle?

Why was the institution of chamber cadets introduced?

In connection with what events was the Table of Ranks abolished?

What were the differences in obtaining hereditary and personal nobility under Peter I?

Officials of the War Ministry of 5th and 8th grades. 1863

In the emerging system of veneration, titles became important. That is, forms of appeal to a person of one or another rank.

In the first third of the 18th century, three general titles were most often used: Your Excellency(for ranks of the upper classes), Your Excellency(for senators) and your honor(for other ranks and nobles). By the end of the century there were already five such titles: I And II classes - Your Excellency;III And IV classes - Your Excellency;V Class - your honor;VI - VIII classes - your honor;IX - XIV classes - your honor.

Historical mosaic

Adjutant General Prince V. A. Dolgorukov.

The Moscow Governor General, Adjutant General Prince V. A. Dolgorukov strictly monitored the observance of his official seniority.

One day in 1879, he refused to attend a dinner at the Exchange Committee of a merchant society, “so as not to appear as the second person” among those present. It’s just that Finance Minister Greig and Chief Prosecutor of the Synod¹ Pobedonostsev had already been invited to dinner.

The following year, at a dinner with Prince A.P. of Oldenburg, V.A. Dolgorukov expressed displeasure that he was seated on the left hand of the hostess. The prince believed that he was promoted to the rank earlier than the senator and actual privy councilor M.P. Shcherbinin, who was in the same rank, but placed on the right hand of Princess Eugenia Maximilianovna of Oldenburg. The princess had to intervene and say that she “herself appointed the places according to the lists of seniority.”

LET'S TURN TO THE CLASSICS

Titles, uniforms and orders - this is discussed a lot in A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824). The attitude towards them allows the author to show the worldview of the characters and serves as a criterion for their assessment. Refusal to “search” for ranks and a critical attitude towards them is perceived by most characters as unreasonableness and a sign of freethinking.

Princess Tugoukhovskaya speaks with horror about her nephew Fyodor:

Chinov doesn’t want to know!

Molchalin, trying to find out the reason for Chatsky’s ironic irritability, asks him:

Have you not been given ranks, have you had no success in your career?

And he hears in response:

Ranks are given by people,

And people can be deceived.

He explains the path to rank with naive cynicism:

I am quite happy in my comrades;

The vacancies are just open;

Then the elders will turn off others,

The others, you see, have been killed.

Answering Famusov’s question whether his cousin “has an order in his buttonhole,” Skalozub explains that his brother and he received orders on the spot:

It was given to him with a bow, around my neck.

When meeting with an old friend, Chatsky asks him a question: “Are you the chief or the headquarters?”

Chatsky’s monologues are dedicated to exposing the cult of the uniform:

And in wives and daughters there is the same passion for the uniform!

Have I renounced tenderness for him long ago?

In salon conversations, gold embroidery of uniforms, “edgings², shoulder straps, buttonholes” on them, and narrow “waists” of uniforms are mentioned.

Let us recall another remark from Famusov:

The deceased was a venerable chamberlain,

With the key, I managed to deliver the key to my son.

But what do all these concepts mean: Privy Councilor, Chief Schenk, Adjutant General, Excellency, Count, white uniform and uniform embroidery, edgings and diamond marks? More on this below.

Historical mosaic

Kaiser Wilhelm II

At the beginning of the 20th century, Russia and Germany entered into a trade agreement. In connection with such major international events, gifts or awards should be exchanged. At the Russian court they knew that the German Kaiser Wilhelm II most of all loved all kinds of forms, orders and insignia. But what should we reward Wilhelm with? The situation was resolved by the German ambassador. He hinted to the Minister of Finance of the Russian government S. Yu. Witte that Wilhelm II would like to receive the uniform of a Russian admiral. The Kaiser's wish was granted.

WHO IS A NOBLEMAN?

The Code of Laws of the Russian Empire defined nobles or “nobles” as follows: “Nobles are understood to be all those who were born from noble ancestors or were granted this dignity by monarchs.”

However, by the time the “Table of Ranks” was introduced, it turned out that “some call themselves nobles,” but are not truly nobles, while others arbitrarily adopted a coat of arms that their ancestors did not have.” Therefore, Peter I sternly warned: “It belongs to no one except us and other crowned heads who is granted the dignity of nobility with a coat of arms and seal.”

So, simply put, a nobleman is a landowner. That is, the owner of lands and serfs. And for the right to own lands and receive income from them, the nobleman was obliged to serve the Tsar and the Fatherland.

In Peter's time, nobles were forced to serve for life. Peter III exempted nobles from compulsory service³ in 1762. At the same time, they now tried to lure nobles into service with ranks, orders and similar awards.

The title of nobleman could be earned, although nobility received for service was considered second-class in society. Personal (not hereditary) nobles constituted a special group. They had no right to own serfs. Personal nobility extended only to the wife. Children of personal nobles enjoyed the right " chief officers' children" And since 1832 - the right hereditary honorary citizens.

The hereditary nobility gave rise to attention to the origin, to the history of the family in generations and the role in the history of the country, to the merits of its outstanding representatives. This title was formalized in the form of genealogies, family coat of arms, and portraits of ancestors. All together evoked a sense of personal dignity and pride in their ancestors, and forced them to care about preserving their good name.

In 1861, the number of hereditary noble families in Russia was 150 thousand.

All the nobles (together with their families) in 1858 in Russia numbered about a million people.

The noble origin of a hereditary nobleman was expressed in the title common to all nobles - your honor. In addition, nobility was also expressed in the right to wear a sword. When addressing a nobleman, the title was often replaced with the word “ sir"(that is, owner, owner). And serfs and servants also used the word “ master", derived from " boyar».

It is worth noting that in pre-revolutionary Russia, non-statutory titles like "your lordship", "your grace", "your honor" etc. Most often, merchants were addressed this way if they did not have official titles.

"TALKING NAMES"

It was not customary to use the title “nobleman” in Russia. There were no special particle prefixes for noble surnames, like “von” among the Germans, “don” among the Spaniards, or “de” among the French. And yet, it was the last name, first name and patronymic of a person that sometimes contained an indication of belonging to the nobility.

Charles Lebrun . Portrait of Ya. F. Dolgorukov, painted in 1687 during his visit to Paris.

The patronymic name itself, which arose in Rus' in the 16th century, was perceived as a reward. Not everyone could use it. The Emperor himself indicated who should be written with “-vich”. Peter I also allowed Prince Yakov Fedorovich Dolgorukov to write with “-vich” in 1697, and in 1700 to the “eminent person” Grigory Dmitrievich Stroganov. Under Catherine I, a list of a few people was compiled who were required to be named with a patronymic in government documents.

"Famous man" Grigory Dmitrievich Stroganov

Surnames also did not appear in Rus' right away and not for everyone. In the XIV - XV centuries among the princes. And by the beginning of the 18th century, all nobles already had surnames. They were most often formed on behalf of the father, which is where the name of the possessions came from.

In general, there are quite a few ways to form noble families. A small group consisted of the names of ancient princely families descended from Rurik. By the end of the 19th century, only five of these survived: Mosalsky, Yeletsky, Zvenigorod, Rostov (usually had double surnames) and Vyazemsky.

The names of the Baryatinsky, Beloselsky, Volkonsky, Obolensky, Prozorovsky and some others came from the names of the estates.

Often surnames came from the nickname of a member of the clan. He received a nickname because he stood out in some way.

It must be borne in mind that surnames were not introduced by any law, but were established quite randomly. At the same time, some doubts arose about which surname to choose. And then it turned out to be double. For an example, turn to the names of the famous Romanov boyars, to a native of this family, Patriarch Filaret. His grandfather was called Zakharyin-Yuryev after the names of his grandfather and father. The double surnames Bobrishchev-Pushkin, Musin-Pushkin, Vorontsov-Velyaminov, Kvashnin-Samarin and others were retained in their offspring. It is impossible not to mention such a rare formation as the Drutsky-Sokolinsky-Gurko-Romeiko.

There were other reasons for doubling surnames. In 1697, the Dmitriev nobles asked, in order to distinguish them “from many different ranks of low-born” with the same surname, to allow them to add the surname of a relative Mamonov and be called the Dmitriev-Mamonovs.

And under Paul I, the custom of transferring surnames that had died out in the male line to another family in the female line was established. So, in 1801, the surname of Field Marshal Prince N.V. Repnin was transferred to his grandson - the son of his daughter, who married one of the Volkonsky princes.

Many noble families were of non-Russian origin. Some were descended from Tatar families: the Yusupovs, the Urusovs, the Karamzins. Some were of Western origin. The Englishman Hamilton, who came to Russia, was first called Gamantov, then Gamatov and, finally, Khomutov. The German surname Levenstein turned into Levshin.

HONORABLE NAMES

A. D. Menshikov

There were also special honorary surnames - titles. When receiving it, the recipient most often complained about the family title. The custom of giving military leaders honorary titles based on the names of the places where they won victories was borrowed from Ancient Rome. At the beginning of the 18th century, the first such title was given to A.D. Menshikov - the title of His Serene Highness Prince of Izhora.

Court officials

Length of service until receipt of the next rank, next civilian rank

• Chancellor (Secretary of State)
• Actual Privy Councilor 1st Class

• Field Marshal General
• Admiral General in the Navy

No

• Actual Privy Councilor
• Vice-Chancellor

• General of Infantry (until 1763, from 1796)
• General of the cavalry (until 1763, from 1796)
• Feldzeichmeister General in artillery (until 1763)
• General-in-Chief (1763—1796)
• General of Artillery (from 1796)
• Engineer-General (from 1796)
• General-Plenipotentiary-Kriegs-Commissar (1711-1720)
• Admiral

• Chief Chamberlain
• Chief Marshal
• Chief of the Rackmaster
• Chief Jägermeister
• Chief Chamberlain
• Ober-schenk
• Chief Master of Ceremonies (since 1844)
• Ober-Forschneider (from 1856)

• Privy Councilor (from 1724)

• Lieutenant General (before 1741, after 1796)
• Lieutenant General (1741—1796)
• Vice Admiral
• General Krieg Commissioner for Supply (until 1868)

• Marshal
• Chamberlain
• Ringmaster
• Jägermeister
• Chief Master of Ceremonies (since 1800)
• Ober-Forschneider

• Privy Councilor (1722-1724)
• Actual State Councilor (since 1724)

• Major General
• Lieutenant Colonel of the Guard (1748—1798)
• General of Fortification (1741-1796)
• Schoutbenacht in the navy (1722–1740)
• Rear Admiral in the Navy (since 1740)
• Ober-Ster-Krieg Commissioner for Supply (until 1868)

• Chamberlain (from 1737)

• State Councillor

• Brigadier (1722—1796)
• Captain-Commander (1707-1732, 1751-1764, 1798-1827)
• Prime Major of the Guard (1748–1798)
• Stehr-Krieg Commissioner for Supply (until 1868)

• Master of Ceremonies (since 1800)
• Chamber cadet (until 1809)

• Collegiate Advisor
• Military Advisor

• Colonel in the Infantry
• Captain 1st rank in the navy
• Second Major of the Guard (1748-1798)
• Colonel of the Guard (since 1798)
• Ober-Krieg Commissioner for Supply (until 1868)

• Chamber-fourier (until 1884)
• Chamberlain (until 1737)

4 years ↗ State Councillor

• Court Councilor

• Lieutenant Colonel in the Infantry
• Military foreman among the Cossacks (since 1884)
• Captain 2nd rank in the fleet
• captain of the guard
• captain of the guard
• Krieg Commissioner for Supply (until 1868)

No

4 years ↗ Collegiate Advisor

VIII

• Collegiate Assessor

• Prime Major and Second Major (1731–1798)
• Major in the infantry (1798-1884)
• Captain in the infantry (from 1884-1917)
• Captain in the cavalry (from 1884-1917)
• Military foreman among the Cossacks (1796-1884)
• Esaul among the Cossacks (since 1884)
• Captain 3rd rank in the navy (1722–1764)
• Lieutenant commander in the navy (1907–1911)
• Senior lieutenant in the navy (1912-1917)
• Staff Captain of the Guard (from 1798)

• Titular Chamberlain

4 years ↗ Court Councilor

• Titular Councilor

• Captain in the infantry (1722-1884)
• Staff captain in the infantry (from 1884-1917)
• Lieutenant of the Guard (from 1730)
• Captain in the cavalry (1798-1884)
• Staff captain in the cavalry (since 1884)
• Esaul among the Cossacks (1798-1884)
• Podesaul among the Cossacks (since 1884)
• Captain-lieutenant in the fleet (1764-1798)
• Lieutenant commander in the navy (1798-1885)
• Lieutenant in the Navy (1885-1906, from 1912)
• Senior lieutenant in the navy (1907–1911)

• Chamber-junker (after 1809)
• Gough-Fourier

3 years ↗ Collegiate Assessor

• Collegiate Secretary

• Captain-lieutenant in the infantry (1730-1797)
• Staff captain in the infantry (1797-1884)
• Second captain in the cavalry (until 1797)
• Staff captain in the cavalry (1797-1884)
• Zeichvarter in artillery (until 1884)
• Lieutenant (since 1884)
• Second Lieutenant of the Guard (from 1730)
• Podesaul among the Cossacks (until 1884)
• Sotnik among the Cossacks (since 1884)
• Lieutenant in the navy (1722-1885)
• Midshipman in the Navy (since 1884)

No

3 years ↗ Titular Councilor

• Ship's secretary (until 1834)

• Ship's Secretary in the Navy (until 1764)

No

• Provincial Secretary

• Lieutenant (1730—1884)
• Second lieutenant in the infantry (from 1884-1917)
• Cornet in the cavalry (from 1884-1917)
• Ensign of the Guard (1730-1884)
• Sotnik among the Cossacks (until 1884)
• Cornet of the Cossacks (since 1884)
• Non-commissioned lieutenant in the navy (1722-1732)
• Midshipman in the navy (1796-1884)

• Valet
• Mundschenk
• Tafeldeker
• Confectioner

3 years ↗ Collegiate Secretary

XIII

• Office receptionist
• Provincial Secretary
• Senate Recorder (1764–1834)
• Synod registrar (since 1764)

• Second lieutenant in the infantry (1730-1884)
• Ensign in the infantry (from 1884-1917, only in wartime)
• Second lieutenant in the artillery (1722-1796)
• Midshipman in the Navy (1860-1882)

No

• Collegiate Registrar
• Collegiate cadet (collegium cadet) (1720-1822)

• Fendrik in the infantry (1722-1730)
• Ensign in the infantry (1730-1884)
• Cornet in the cavalry (1731-1884)
• Junker bayonet in artillery (1722-1796)
• Cornet of the Cossacks (until 1884)
• Midshipman in the navy (1732-1796)

No

3 years ↗ Provincial Secretary

Statutory address according to class
I - II	III - IV		VI - VIII	IX - XIV
Your Excellency	Your Excellency	Your Highness	Your Honor	Your Honor

Military ranks are higher than the table of ranks - Generalissimo

The report card provided for three main types of service: military, civilian and court. Each was divided into 14 classes. Moving from class to class, starting in the lower 14th, the employee made a career. In each class it was necessary to serve a certain number of years. But for special merits the term was reduced. There were more positions in the civil service, and therefore the upward movement was faster.

In the 18th century, everyone who already had a lower class rank, received and personal nobility. And the nobleman had a number of benefits. At the same time, in military service hereditary nobility gave 14th grade, and in civilian life - only 8th. However, already from the beginning of the 19th century, more and more non-nobles entered the public service. And therefore, since 1845, in the civil service, hereditary nobility was received already from the fifth grade, and in the military service - in the eighth.

Having established a clear system of ranks, the “Table of Ranks” ensured strict adherence to the principle of seniority and veneration. Among the holders of one rank, the eldest was considered to be the one who served in military service, or the one who was previously granted a given rank. Compliance with the principle of seniority was considered mandatory in all ceremonies: at court, during ceremonial dinners, at marriages, baptisms, burials, and even in churches during divine services. There was a cruel rule: “Respect the rank of rank.” And this principle extended to the wives and daughters of officials.