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Rinda - a ceremonial body guard - In
the 16-17th centuries the great prince and tsar kept armed bodyguards,
(rindi), who accompanied them on campaigns and trips. During the time of
solemn court ceremonials the rindi stood motionless on either side of
the throne in parade uniform. The term itself came from a more ancient time.
Prince Dmitri, during the Kulikovo Battle "ordered his rindi to
hold a great black banner over the head of Mikhail Andryeyevich Brenk
"(Nikon chronicle). When rindi performed their service at court,
their armament consisted of large posolcki topor ambassadors' axe. (an
indispensable object of the audiences that the Moscow ruler gave foreign
ambassadors: from this came the name topor. The topor was made
from ordinary and damask steel decorated with silver and gold appliques. The
handle of the topor was covered with jewels. However, sometimes gilded
copper was suitable.
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