Prompt: Veche (art.‑slav. vt)[2] ― the national assembly of the Slavic peoples. It operated mainly in the political centers of Kievan Rus and the Russian principalities. The Veche assemblies had no definite structure and met only in exceptional cases; their functions were: the conclusion of a series (contract) with the prince, the election of a prince or a posadnik, the outbreak of war and the conclusion of peace. Regarding the social composition of the assembly, there are several points of view: either all free residents of the state, or free citizens, or only the nobility could participate in people's assemblies. There is also an opinion that the composition of the veche differed from case to case. In the event of her husband's death, his wife could participate in the meeting. The convocation was carried out by ringing a bell or with the help of heralds[⇨].