Lecture Notes on Hay Girls in Tsarist Russia

Introduction

• The term "girl" has evolved negatively in modern context.
• In Tsarist Russia, it referred to unmarried young women, particularly serfs working in the house.

Definition of Hay Girls

• Historian Yuri Fedosyuk defines "girl" as unmarried serfs who worked in households.
• Hay girls were a specific category of servant girls, distinct from those working in the fields.

Living Conditions

• Hay girls lived in a room called "senya" which acted like a modern veranda.
• This room was crucial for maintaining heat within the house, preventing warm air from escaping.
• Hay girls often slept on benches or floors, sometimes right next to the master's bed for quick access.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsibilities varied based on the landowner’s whims.
  • Cleaning and laundry
  • Assisting with dressing and grooming
  • Fetching water and completing various orders.
• They also served as waitresses during large gatherings.
• Some hay girls were educated in manners and even spoke French.

Social Dynamics

• Hay girls were often closely trusted by the landowner's family, sometimes becoming companions.
• Despite their proximity and trust, they remained bonded serfs and could be sold or exchanged.
• They faced potential harassment and coercive marriages.

Punishments and Threats

• Disobedience could lead to corporal punishment or torture.
• There was a tolerance from authorities toward violence against serfs by noble owners.

Marriage and Family

• If a hay girl married, she moved to a separate area but retained some intimate duties.
• Illegitimate children, if acknowledged, could receive education and freedom.

Status Among Serfs

• Hay girls were viewed as an elite group among serfs yet often faced disdain and contempt from peers.
• They were vulnerable to violence during peasant riots due to their closeness to landowners.

Conclusion

• The position of hay girls illustrates a complex social hierarchy where they were simultaneously privileged yet highly vulnerable.
• The old saying reflects the reality of serf life: "Better to be away from the authorities and closer to the kitchen."
• Field laborers often felt freer than the house servants despite their harsh conditions.