zemsky-soborhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zemsky-sobor_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_useZemsky Sobor, n.
Revised 2018

Zemsky Sobornoun

Russian History.
  1. 1877–
    In 16th and 17th century Russia: a national assembly, convened (usually by the tsar) for particular purposes, and consisting of representatives of the aristocracy and landowners, the ecclesiastical authorities, and the merchants and free citizens of the towns.
    The Zemsky Sobor was established under Ivan the Terrible in the mid 16th cent., but its importance declined after the 1620s. By the end of the century it had ceased to operate as a national body, although its revival has been proposed on several occasions (see quots. 1882, 1918).
    1. 1877
      The Deputies..formed a kind of national Assembly called a Zémski Sobór.
      Times 18 October 8/4
    2. 1882
      He [sc. the Czar] ought to convoke the representatives of the people (zemsky sobor) and to solemnly return them the sovereign power, to whom it rightfully belongs.
      Boston Daily Globe 13 November 1/3
    3. 1902
      Vladislav..was to become ruler of Russia,..as one whose power was to be limited even to a greater extent than that of Shuiski, by the council or douma of the boiars and the states general, or Zemsky sobor of Russia.
      M. Kovalevsky, Russ. Polit. Inst. iii. 56
    4. 1918
      The Grand Duke is reported to have issued a manifesto to the Russian people adhering to his abdication and leaving the decision as to the form of government to be adopted to the Zemsky Sobor (Duma), which was to be convoked.
      Times 27 June 5/3
    5. 1958
      The reforms of Peter put an end both to the Zemski Sobor and the Duma.
      D. J. R. Scott, Russian Political Institutions i. 23
    6. 2012
      The 1613 zemsky sobor enthroned a new dynasty, the Romanovs.
      American Sociologist vol. 43 355

Zemsky Sobor, n. was revised in June 2018.

Zemsky Sobor, n. was last modified in September 2024.