noun - was a member of the highest rank of the feudal Bulgarian, Romanian, and
Russian aristocracy, second only to the ruling princes, from the 10th century through the 17th century.
As well, represented as a kick-
ass melee/missle cavalry unit useable in the Medieval Total War games when playing as (mainly) the
Russian faction.
Boyars weren't exactly the Eastern equivalent of Western knights, but they were
close.
While playing in an
online battle of Medieval Total War, Chris decimated the rear ranks of his oppoinents' spearmen by cavalry rushing with
two units of Boyars.