Druzhina

Drushina (Russian дружина, also Drushína or Drushine ) is called the personal Heergefolge or the bodyguard of a Russian prince in the Middle Ages.

Formation

The Druschinas were originally arose from the oath Communities Varangians who sailed the rivers of Eastern Europe. In medieval empire of Kievan Rus every prince had his own drushina as a warrior followers. In addition, the drushina took over Russia in numerous functions of the exercise of power and administration, in particular the collection of taxes, which were filled in the west by the feudal system and the gentry. Some of the rulers took counsel with his followers via government or war plans. The ruler had to supply and maintain their goodwill.

There were two different followings: the older and the younger followers. From Starschaja drushina ( Mature allegiance = higher standing drushina ), were mainly the big nobles with their own followers and a private estate to the term of the boyars became common from the mid-12th century. The younger followers hired himself as a warrior for the prince and was it supplied by this further. The followers of the prince was to the banns of all free men, the so-called Opoltschenije, expand with larger campaigns. Since the mid-12th century, the two concepts merged more and more. The followers of the prince was in the early Middle Ages not a specifically Slavic phenomenon, but also existed in other parts of Europe.

Further use

In Russian a gathering of people is also called drushina. A member of a drushina is called Druschinnik.

As Druschinen also combat units of the SD were designated, which had been formed from Russians.