BOJAR (pronounced Thyar), a word originally of the same meaning as Czech, Lech, and Bolgarin, i.e., free proprietor of the soil. The Bojacs, in old Russia, were the order next to the knjazes or knjeses(ruling princes). They formed the immediate " following" of these princes, and bore somewhat of the same relation to them as the lesser English and Scottish knights of the feudal ages did to the great barons Percy, Douglas, etc. They had their own partisans, who served them as a kind of body-guard; they rave their ser vices to a prince of their own choice, whom, however, they left again at their pleasure, and, in consequence of this, the kniazes could only secure Their allegiance by the bestow ment of privileges which were often abused. They held exclusively the highest military and civil offices, and were so universally looked up to by the mass of the people, that the most powerful rulers, even Ivan the cruel, considered it prudent to use this form of expression in their ukases: " Time emperor has ordered it; the Bojars have approved it. ' Rank among the Bojars was always; proportioned to length of state service, and was observed with the utmost rigor, so that the B. who had obtained an as it were, yesterday, looked down with proud contempt on him who only entered on his to-day.
This singular mode of securing gradation of rank was called miestniezestwo. It was a most peculiar phenomenon of Slavic life, equally unlike feudalism and modern aristocracy, and must be regarded as a strictly national development. In their housekeeping the Bojars were excessively fond of splendor, and their contempt for the serfs or " lower orders" was immeasurable. In the lapse of time, many Chinese customs—as might be expected from their theory of rank—crept into their public life. Their power, and the respect which was paid them, acted as a wholesome check upon the otherwise unbridled authority of the princes; in consequence of which, the latter became their bitter enemies, and often sought to destroy their power. This was finally done by Peter the great, who abolished the order of Bojars by giving them a place among the Russian nobility, but, at the same time, stripping them of their peculiar privileges. The lust B., Knjaz Ivan Jurjewicz Trubeekoj, died 16th Jan., 1750.
In Moldavia and Wallachia, Bojars still exist. They have a seat and vote in the council of the prince, and, as ancient history shows; exercise at times a.most extensive influence.