THE LIFE OF A RUNAWAY PEASANT WOMAN, TOLD BY HERSELF (ON THE MATERIALS OF INTERROGATIONS IN RUSSIAN PROVINCIAL COURTS IN THE 18TH CENTURY)

The subject of runaway serfs in Russia is not new in Russian historiography: researchers of the 19th‒20th centuries considered various aspects of this phenomenon. However, all these researches were based on the study of men's stories, as it was men who were key figures in the country's economy. The woman’s destiny remained practically out of the field of view of researchers. This article is the first experience of studying the records of interrogations of runaway peasant women. The author explores and introduces into scientific use the interrogatory speeches of runaway peasant women, considering them as one of the possible variants of "Selbstzeugnisse", i.e. "self-testimonies". A special attention is given to reasons, circumstances, escape routes, as well as survival strategies "on the run".