... translated as homestead, but in the Russsian language it has the meaning of yard, family unit and even the king's or rich man's estate.Dvory being autonomous units of production and consumption consisted of a certain territory occupied by different constructions for living and working, vegetable and fruit gardens and sheds for cattle. The size of the homestead and the number of buildings situated on the territory depended on the social status and economic affluence of the peasant.According to the documents the homestads of northern peasants were much better built and arranged than the ones in other provinces of Russia, this can be explained by excellent natural resources such as the abundance of wood for building, harsh weather conditions and the overall socioeconomic status of the peasants in northern parts of the country. One of the best studies concerned with Russian house life of the16th and 17th centuries is an essay ...

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