Volost Official

an official in Russia from the 11th century through the 16th who administered the volost (small rural district) in the name of the grand prince or an appanage prince. This official was in charge of administrative and judicial affairs. He did not receive a salary from the government; instead, this official exacted payments in money and services (the kormlenie system) from the “burdened” population of the volost, that is, from all those who paid taxes.