The Posolskiy prikaz interpreters’ and translators’ biographies are still almost unresearched. This article attempts to trace the history of the Kuchumovs, the interpreters of the Posolskiy prikaz , their coming to Russia, engagement in the events of the Time of Troubles, and their services in the prikaz , as based on archival sources. We also examine the fate of family members who remained faithful to Islam and converted to Orthodoxy. The authors conclude that in order to save money, interpreters, and possibly translators, were hired from the number of those already employed in the Posolskiy prikaz who were suitable for this type of service. This observation may allow us to establish the origins of some officials of the foreign service department.
|
