Page "Boyar" Paragraph 22

The close alliance between the boyar condition and the military-administrative functions led to a confusion, aggravated by the Phanariots: these functions began to be considered as noble titles, like in the Occident.

In fact, this was not at all the case.

Traditionally, the boyars were organized in three states: boyars of the first state, of the second state and of the third state.

For example, there was a first or a grand postelnic, a second postelnic, and a third postelnic, each one with his different obligations and rights.

The difference of condition was visible even in the vestimentation or physical aspect.

Only the boyars of the first state had the right, for example, to grow a beard, the rest being entitled only to a mustache.

Within the class of the boyars of the first state, there was the subclass of the " grand boyars ".

Those were great landowners who also had some very high functions, such as the function of great vornic.

Above those grand boyars was only the prince.