Kormlenie

(Russian, “feeding”), the system of supporting officials at the expense of the local population that existed in Rus’ until the mid-16th century. The prince dispatched vicegerents and other officials to various cities and rural districts, and the local people were obligated to support (feed) them during their term of office. The kormlenie system was widely used in the 14th and 15th centuries. Under the reform of 1555-56 the system was abolished and the collections for the support of officials were replaced by a special tax paid to the treasury.