Introduction
Historic writings are one of the primary sources of knowledge scientists use to acquire enhanced visions of past epochs. Texts from the previous eras contain numerous vital facts, ideas, pieces of evidence, and cogitations about how various states functioned and interacted with others. For this reason, the chronicles or precise descriptions of significant events are essential for cultivating better knowledge. However, other writings, such as memoirs, personal letters, or impressions, are also critical for understanding the world through the cultural lens of the author.
For instance, the book “The Present State of Russia in a Letter to a Friend at London, written in 1671” represents Samuel Collin’s vision of the Russian state at that period. Being a representative of the British Nation, the author has a specific mentality that impacts his judgments and the image he creates. The text is not subjective and might have various misinterpretations; however, it helps to understand the historical context and understanding of Early Modern Britain.
Context
Analyzing the historical script, it is essential to understand the peculiarities of the epoch when it was created. Thus, the book under analysis was printed in 1671, representing the perspective of the 17th century’s people on the world. During that time, Russia, or the Tsardom of Russia, or Muscovy, did not belong to the world’s super states.
Although it continued its fast development and growth, the European states did possess much information about how life within the state was organized. Russia had radically different cultures, mentality, and patterns of relations between various groups within the state. Thus, in the 17th century, commercial and political relations were established between England and Russia, while the contacts between governments became more tenuous compared to the Elizabethan times. However, Russia was still considered an inferior state populated by people with primitive cultures.
Thus, England was considered one of the most influential and civilized European states. That period is referred to as Early Modern Britain, corresponding to the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. It is also called the English Renaissance, which shows that the nation experienced a rise in its culture, music, poetry, and other spheres.
Although it had some civil conflicts and political problems, along with opposition from other European states, such as France, England remained one of the world’s leaders in its interests, including numerous regions and issues. As a result, people there acquired a specific vision of the state’s role in international intercourse and how other states should function. The differences between these views and the situation in Russia became one of the main issues affecting the presentation of facts in the discussed books.
People’s Description
The author’s indulgent attitude can be seen from the first lines of the text. Starting describing the country, he says that “people are very jealous.” Additionally, he adds that they “suspect those who ask them any questions concerning their Policy, or Religion.” In such a way, Collins creates the image of unfriendly, dull, and closed people who are not ready to interact with others. It establishes the book’s tone and introduces specific expectations about the things described in the following sections.
Although these descriptions might reflect real Collin’s experiences of interacting with local people, it is critical to remember that he was a foreigner, which was a rare phenomenon at that period. Traveling from one region to another might take months, and only rich and noble people could afford it. This means that other behaviors when interacting with locals could be observed.
Education
Furthermore, the author emphasizes the lack of education regarding his vision. For instance, he says, “they being wholly devoted to their Ignorance, and Education; (which is altogether illiterate, and rude, both in Civil and Ecclesiastical Affairs).” This statement shows the critical difference between England and Russia at that period. England already had establishments such as Oxford, which devoted much attention to classical science and theology. As for Russia, it was a patriarchal state that mainly focused on home education. It explains Collin’s lines, but, at the same time, it is vital to consider that in both countries, the majority of education, or not noble people, were not literate, which was linked to their social position.
Printing
The author’s prejudiced attitude can also be seen in his cogitations about printing. Collins says, “In the year of our Lord, 1560. the Art of Printing was brought in amongst them,” referring to people living in Russia. For England, Gutenberg’s printing machine was brought there in 1476, meaning that they had already been printing books for around 100 years, which impacted the author’s visions of Russian culture and how science evolved. At the same time, this statement reflects an objective fact, meaning that it can be a vital source for understanding the context of that period.
Religion
Religion is another aspect that played a central role in societies of that period, and the text devotes much attention to it. Collin’s descriptions help to understand how Russia’s Orthodox Church emerged and acquired its visual image. For instance, he says, “They borrow their Liturgy from the Greek Church,” while England followed the Latin tradition, which was later transformed into their unique form with the king as the highest priest.
Collins also shows that the architectural style emerged following the Greek tradition: “Chief ornaments are Images, adorned with rich Stones and Pearls, wherein they admit no Sculpture but only painting. “He also admits that statue worship is considered idolatry, which explains their absence. These lines are central to understanding the historical context and how the Church and religion evolved from various grounds.
Laws
The text can also be an essential source for analyzing the legal system in the historical context. For instance, the author admits the rightless position of women and enslaved people. He offers the example of a man who killed his wife, but no one prosecuted her death. Collins explains this by the fact that “they have no penal Law for the killing of a Wife or Slave.” He compares people living there with savages: “Some of these Barbarians will tye up their Wives by the hair of the head, and whip them stark naked.” The given description introduces several essential ideas.
First, the society in Russia was highly patriarchal, with the power concentrated in the hands of men, while women had to dress as it was prescribed and obey. Second, serfs, or peasants, had no legal rights and depended on their masters, who had the right to kill them. This idea coincides with the tendency for unfavorable comparisons of Russian serfdom to labor systems in other European states, including England. The second was considered free and modern, while the first was viewed as a form of slavery. Although peasants in England were also almost rightless, the differences allowed Collins to hold a superior position towards Russia.
Historical Value
In such a way, the text offers numerous examples of how the author views Russia of the 17th century based on his experience of living there. Analyzing the book, it is vital to say that many statements are biased and are linked to the peculiarities of Early Modern Britain’s mentality. The state played leading positions in the global discourse at that period, while Russia had started its fast evolution. However, regardless of Collin’s prejudiced attitude based on his belonging to the European nation, the book is an essential source of knowledge. It reveals the peculiarities of culture, politics, marriage, and religion in Russia at that time and helps to compare it to other nations.
Conclusion
Altogether, “The Present State of Russia in a Letter to a Friend at London Written in 1671” has a significant historical value. Although it is possible to see that the author is predisposed, he describes the events, customs, and traditions that can be analyzed to understand the period and how Russia evolved there. Collings assigns himself to a superior position because he belongs to the European nation. England’s development at that period impacted his superior position and some biased attitudes; however, he also offered valuable information that cannot be doubted. For this reason, the book is an essential source of knowledge for investigating that period and the worldview of people living in various parts of the globe.
Bibliography
Anderson, Mathew. “English Views of Russia in the 17th Century.” The Slavonic and East European Review 33, no. 80 (1954): 140–60. Web.
Collins, Samuel. The Present State of Russia in a Letter to a Friend at London. London, Kings Arms, 1671.
Ferguson, Jason. “Serfs, Excluded or Governed by The State? Serfdom in Russia, an Historiographical Analysis” PhD diss., Portland State University, 2021.
Jenkins, Simon. Short History of England. New York, NY: Profile Trade, 2018.
Kivelson, Valerie, Sergei Kozlov and Joan Neuberger. Russian History. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2018.
Miller, John. Early Modern Britain, 1450-1750. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2017.