Streltsy

The streltsy were Russian firearm infantry established under Ivan IV in the sixteenth century. They served as permanent troops and, especially in Moscow, as an urban political force.

Streltsy regiments: Permanent military units of the Russian streltsy, organized by district and commanded by appointed officers. Regimental organization structured both their military service and their presence in Moscow.
Ivan the Terrible: The grand prince of Moscow and first crowned tsar of Russia, ruling from 1547 to 1584. His reign is associated with the establishment of the streltsy as permanent troops.
Peter the Great: The Russian tsar who ruled from 1682 to 1725 and transformed the state into an empire. His military reforms and suppression of streltsy rebellions ended the force's political standing.
Streltsy uprising of 1682: A Moscow revolt in which streltsy soldiers helped force political concessions during the succession crisis of 1682. It made the streltsy decisive participants in the contested accession of Ivan V and Peter I.
Arquebus: An early firearm with a long barrel, fired by a matchlock or related ignition mechanism. Streltsy infantry relied on firearms such as the arquebus alongside edged weapons.
Muscovy: The medieval Russian state centered on Moscow, predecessor to the Tsardom of Russia. The streltsy emerged under Muscovite rule as the state expanded and reorganized its forces.
Sophia Alekseyevna: A Russian regent who governed from 1682 to 1689 during the minority of her brothers Ivan V and Peter I. She relied on streltsy support during the succession crisis that brought her to power.
Streltsy uprising of 1698: A revolt by streltsy regiments in 1698, suppressed by forces loyal to Peter I. Its defeat triggered severe reprisals and accelerated the streltsy's dissolution.
Berdysh: A broad-bladed pole axe used in Russia, including as a support for firing some matchlock weapons. The streltsy carried berdyshes, which served as weapons and could steady firearms.
Tsardom of Russia: The Russian state ruled by tsars from the sixteenth century until the establishment of the Russian Empire in 1721. The streltsy served the tsardom through its formation, wars, and internal crises.

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