Stavnsbånd
Encyclopedia
The Stavnsbånd was a serfdom
-like institution introduced in Denmark
in 1733 in accordance with the wishes of estate owners and the military. It bonded men between the ages of 18 and 36 to live on the estate where they were born. It was possible, however, to purchase a pass releasing one from this bondage. So, in practice, estate owners and their sons were not particularly bonded to live on their estates.
The institution was introduced to alleviate a serious agricultural crisis in the 1730s. Demand from Denmark's traditional export countries was falling, and people were migrating to the cities, which meant that it was difficult to man the estates. Furthermore, the military needed men for the militia
. Military service at the time was in practice delegated to men who were less able in agriculture because it was the estate owner's duty to delegate men to the militia.
The age limit was changed three times. In 1735 to 14–36 years, in 1742 to 9–40 years, and in 1764 to 4–40 years.
The stavnsbånd was gradually abolished as part of agricultural reforms starting on 20 June 1788. At first, the reform affected only those under the age of 14. Thereafter, it affected those who were over the age of 36, and then those who had served in the military. The main points of the reform was that the bondage to the estates was changed to the administrative districts. The autocracy
in Denmark was so well-developed at this time that the Danish state had become less dependent on estate owners as local administrators. By 1848, the introduction of military conscription
meant the final end of the stavnsbånd, since men could now legally reside in any district they wanted.
Serfdom
Serfdom is the status of peasants under feudalism, specifically relating to Manorialism. It was a condition of bondage or modified slavery which developed primarily during the High Middle Ages in Europe and lasted to the mid-19th century...
-like institution introduced in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
in 1733 in accordance with the wishes of estate owners and the military. It bonded men between the ages of 18 and 36 to live on the estate where they were born. It was possible, however, to purchase a pass releasing one from this bondage. So, in practice, estate owners and their sons were not particularly bonded to live on their estates.
The institution was introduced to alleviate a serious agricultural crisis in the 1730s. Demand from Denmark's traditional export countries was falling, and people were migrating to the cities, which meant that it was difficult to man the estates. Furthermore, the military needed men for the militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
. Military service at the time was in practice delegated to men who were less able in agriculture because it was the estate owner's duty to delegate men to the militia.
The age limit was changed three times. In 1735 to 14–36 years, in 1742 to 9–40 years, and in 1764 to 4–40 years.
The stavnsbånd was gradually abolished as part of agricultural reforms starting on 20 June 1788. At first, the reform affected only those under the age of 14. Thereafter, it affected those who were over the age of 36, and then those who had served in the military. The main points of the reform was that the bondage to the estates was changed to the administrative districts. The autocracy
Autocracy
An autocracy is a form of government in which one person is the supreme power within the state. It is derived from the Greek : and , and may be translated as "one who rules by himself". It is distinct from oligarchy and democracy...
in Denmark was so well-developed at this time that the Danish state had become less dependent on estate owners as local administrators. By 1848, the introduction of military conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
meant the final end of the stavnsbånd, since men could now legally reside in any district they wanted.