"Summer Reserves" is one of the manifestations of the strengthening of serfdom in the Moscow state at the end of the 16th century. It seems to be a beautiful phrase, but it does not mean anything good.
The situation of peasants in Russia in the XV-XVI century
For centuries, peasant families, if they did not like living on the lands of the feudal lord, could calmly abandon the land and move to another feudal lord. Understanding that in this state of affairs it will be difficult to tie the peasant and make him completely dependent, the government is slowly starting to limit the transitions of the peasants. For example, in the Sudebnik of Ivan III, the first restrictions were set on the ability of peasants to leave the feudal lord. There was a link to St. George's Day (November 26). The law established that any peasant who wants to leave the feudal lord can do this no earlier than a week before this day and no later than a week after him. In fact, we are talking about the period from November 19 to December 3. And after all have not entered the "reserved summer"! This restriction significantly complicated the life of the peasants, because the transition was possible only after the peasant fully paid the land owner.
Deterioration of the situation of the peasantry after 1550
In 1550 a new Code of Law was adopted, in which the deterioration of the situation of the peasantry was laid. For example, peasants were required to sow winter crops before leaving. In addition, another way to attach peasants to the land is to transfer some groups to the category of "old-timers", that is, those who supposedly already live on this land for a long time and are used to the terrain.
Since 1581, "reserved summers" have been temporarily introduced. This is due to the fact that the state decided to make a description of all the lands that were part of the territory of Muscovy at that time. How should we understand the meaning of the word "reserved summers"? And everything is simple! Under the pretext that a description of the land is being made and it is necessary to understand exactly who lives and where, statesmen simply tied the peasants to the land, to one place of residence.
What is said about the "reserved summers" in the sources?
So, reserved summers are a ban for peasants to switch from a feudal lord to a feudal lord in certain years. We do not have a clearly written provision about this. You can find only a few mentions in some royal letters dated 80-90-ies of the XVI century. The practice of introducing "reserve years" dates back to 1581. It is also worth mentioning the decree of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich of 1592, according to which the "reserved summers" were introduced practically forever. This document laid the foundation for serfdom in Muscovy.