Posadnik

Posadnik Shchil asks for the blessing of Archbishop John to build a church. The Tale of Posadnik Shchil.

A posadnik (Russian: посадник, pl. посадники, posadniki) was originally a representative of the ruling prince in some towns during the times of Kievan Rus'. Following its disintegration, the posadnik became the highest-ranking official in the Russian cities of Novgorod (from 1136) and Pskov (from 1308). The title is often translated as "mayor", but "lieutenant" and "governor" can also sometimes be found.

In the early 12th century, Novgorod won the right to elect its own posadnik, who was originally appointed by the prince to rule on his behalf during his absence, thus the posadnik became the elected burgomaster. In 1136, the prince Vsevolod was expelled and the Novgorod veche (popular assembly) began to appoint and expel princes at its own will. The posadnik was so much of an official that the representative of the prince became known as the namestnik.

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