DAILY LIFE OF THE DOMESTIC NOBILITY IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE XIX CENTURY: A HISTORIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

ABSTRACT

Everyday life of the domestic nobility in the second half of the XIX century provides a huge layer for scientists to study its subtleties. The very meaning of the phrase «everyday life» is not only about routine activities, everyday life, but also about traditions, the arrangement of estates, family relationships. Thus, this article examines the main aspects of the daily life of the domestic nobility in the second half of the XIX century from the point of view of a historiographical review of Soviet and modern literature.

Keywords: history of Russia, nobility, everyday life, the second half of the XIX century.

The second half of the XIX century, or rather its greater part, is the time of the reign of Emperor Alexander II (1855–1881) and bears the characteristic name of his reign – «post-referendum period». It was because of the reforms that Alexander II carried out in the course of his policy that most of the hereditary noble class had to significantly change their usual life and direct the vector of views towards survival. S.A. Nefedov, based on historical data, made the following conclusions: «In 1862–1877, the number of landowners' estates in European Russia decreased by 11 thousand (8,4%), 12% of the noble land passed into the hands of other classes. In the Central region, the nobles sold 21% of their land, in the Black Earth Region – 12%. In the Tver province, 40% of the landowners' estates were liquidated, in the Tula province, noble land ownership was reduced by half. The lands of the ruined nobles were bought mostly by merchants and townspeople, who became new landowners. The crops on private lands of the Black Earth Region decreased by 17% compared to the pre-reform decade» [3, p. 247]. Thus, the consequence of the peasant reform gave rise to a severe crisis for the noble elite.

However, if the hereditary nobility experienced difficulties, then the so-called «new nobility» – persons who had earned the rank of nobility – enjoyed greater privileges, which were granted to civil servants [8, p. 4].

Turning to questions about the structure of noble life, the most detailed and complete answers can be found in memoir sources, which were based on many historiographic studies. Thus, modern researchers, for example, T.V. Smirnova, based on memoir sources, characterize the internal life of noble families [6, p. 409–419]. Education in a noble family implied a strictly established way of life and often, especially in the old noble style, form prevailed over content. Thus, Prince E.N. Trubetskoy wrote: «Grandfather not only demanded that everyone around him obey the style, but he himself obeyed it, and therefore there was no greater systematist in life. Once established, the order was repeated by him from day to day, from hour to hour» [7, p. 12]. At the same time, already from the 60-70s of the XIX century, the old noble style was ousted from everyday life. The focus was on internal, not external human qualities. The prince noted: «We grew up with the concept of equality of all people before God» [7, p. 23], and the nobility, knocked out of the old rut, moved away from traditional forms, from old estates, but at the same time, sought to preserve the content of the previous style of education [1, p. 89].

Speaking about upbringing, the conversation accordingly moves on to the topic of education, because education was highly respected in the nobility: foreign teachers were hired, various governesses surrounded the little nobles from birth. Traditionally, in the system of values ​​of the nobility, service to the state, to their Fatherland, was highlighted. They occupied dominant positions in local and state government bodies. However, after the abolition of serfdom, many of the representatives of the noble class moved to the cities, where they received professions that «most often meant a break with the traditions of their class» [5, p. 241]. They continued to study in secondary and higher educational institutions, but, choosing, for example, legal practice, the value orientations of this family had already changed and were not similar to the traditional noble ones. Because of this, the centuries-old foundations of the educational field collapsed under the yoke of novelty.

Based on modern Russian historiography, we can highlight the article by I.G. Onoprienko [4, p. 2] on the structure of noble estate complexes using the example of the Central Black Earth Region. In the post-reform period, the appearance of estates underwent significant changes. The appearance of «true and integral homeliness» was given by traditional features in the form of «an organic combination of residential and utility buildings in a single architectural ensemble, surrounded by a park and garden». Noble estates of the Central Black Earth Region differ depending on the financial situation of their owners. However, I.G. Onoprienko notes a certain feature in their structure - the presence of outbuildings. For example, in the Kursk province, «…a wooden outbuilding, covered with straw, three rooms, one log entryway, the outbuilding has plank floors and ceilings, six windows with double frames, five doors, one stove made of simple tiles and bricks, a wicker pantry. Moreover, the outbuilding and the kitchen are through the entryway, there are only one door» [4, p. 3].

Another important object for consideration of the everyday life of the nobility is their clothing. The monograph by T.T. Korshunova [2] tells us about the history of sewing in Russia. According to her research, fashion in the second half of the XIX century changed rapidly, borrowing details of the costume of past eras. Men's clothing acquired strictness and a businesslike character. The tailcoat, which had previously been elegant daytime clothing, now became an everyday suit, and then, together with the frock coat, was an accessory to the ceremonial toilet.

Women's fashion also underwent changes. The bodice with basques gained popularity, waists were shortened, and many new sleeve styles became favorite details in dresses. The crinoline, which had been used in sewing before, received the romantic name «Malakhovsky», in memory of the events of the Crimean War.

Thus, we can conclude that the everyday life of the domestic nobility in the second half of the XIX century suffered quite strong shocks. Based on the data of the historiographical review, certain features clearly stand out. In Soviet historiography, we find interesting articles about the structure of estates and interiors of that time. This topic smoothly flows into modern domestic historiography. Many famous scientists made a huge contribution to the development of historiography about the everyday life of the domestic nobility: Yu.M. Lotman, B.G. Litvak, B.N. Mironov, however, this question still remains open for reflection.

References:

1. Zakharova O.Yu. Secular ceremonies in Russia in the XVIII – early XX centuries. – Moscow, 2003. – 329 p.
2. Korshunova T.T. Costume in Russia in the XVIII – early XX centuries. From the collection of the State Hermitage Museum. – Leningrad, 1979. – 282 p.
3. Nefedov S.A. Demographic and structural analysis of the socio-economic history of Russia. Late XV – early XX century. – Ekaterinburg, 2005. – 539 p.
4. Onoprienko I.G. Noble estate complex of the Central Black Earth Region and its structural and typological composition in the second half of the XIX century // Via in tempore. History. Political Science. – 2012. – №. 1 (120). Edition 21. – 7 p.
5. Ryzhov A.N. Educational priorities of the Russian nobility in the last quarter of the XIX century – early XX century // Education issues. – 2009. – №. 4. – P. 235–256.
6. Smirnova T.V. The Moscow region estate of the Trubetskoy princes Akhtyrka and Viktor Vasnetsov's «Alyonushka» // Zabelinsky scientific readings. – 2016. Historical Museum – Encyclopedia of Russian History and Culture: [collection]. – 2019. – P. 409–419.
7. Trubetskoy E.I. From the past // Princes Trubetskoy. Russia will rise. – Moscow, 1996. – 527 p.
8. Shevnina O.E. Provincial nobility and legal policy (second half of the XIX century) // Electronic scientific journal «Science. Society. State». – 2015. – №. 1 (9). – 9 p.