Stolnic is an historical rank used in the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia. Its named derives from the slavonic stolu=table.
The stolnic was in charge of the voivode's table and he would serve the table during official meals or during festivities, tasting the food served to the voivode, to ensure that it was not poisoned. He was assisted by the second stolnic (vtori stolnic) and third stolnic (treti stolnic), who would serve during ordinary meals,
The stolnic was also in charge of supervising the court's kitchen, of supplying the court with fish and of collecting the taxes from fishers and vegetable growers.
He was helped in carrying out his duties his duties by various stolnicei, The subordinates of the stolnic were considered a category in the principality's military. References
- Mihai Dim. Sturdza - Familiile boiereşti din Moldova şi Ţara Românească - Vol. I - Ed. Simetria, 2004 - ISBN 973-85821-7-2