Votchina
Encyclopedia
Votchina or otchina (о́тчина - from word Father) was an East Slavic land estate
that could be inherited. The term "votchina" was also used to describe the lands of a knyaz
.
The term originated in the law of Kievan Rus. An owner of votchina (votchinnik, вотчинник) not only had property rights to it, but also some administrative and legal power over people living on its territory. These people, however, were not serfs
, as they had a right to freely move to different votchinas.
Later the administrative and legal powers of the votchina owners were severely limited, and then completely revoked. In the mid-15th century, the right of certain categories of peasants in some votchinas to leave their master was limited to a period of one week before and after the so-called Yuri's Day
(November 26).
Estate (house)
An estate comprises the houses and outbuildings and supporting farmland and woods that surround the gardens and grounds of a very large property, such as a country house or mansion. It is the modern term for a manor, but lacks the latter's now abolished jurisdictional authority...
that could be inherited. The term "votchina" was also used to describe the lands of a knyaz
Knyaz
Kniaz, knyaz or knez is a Slavic title found in most Slavic languages, denoting a royal nobility rank. It is usually translated into English as either Prince or less commonly as Duke....
.
The term originated in the law of Kievan Rus. An owner of votchina (votchinnik, вотчинник) not only had property rights to it, but also some administrative and legal power over people living on its territory. These people, however, were not serfs
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...
, as they had a right to freely move to different votchinas.
Later the administrative and legal powers of the votchina owners were severely limited, and then completely revoked. In the mid-15th century, the right of certain categories of peasants in some votchinas to leave their master was limited to a period of one week before and after the so-called Yuri's Day
Yuri's Day
Yuri's Day is the Russian name for either of the two feasts of Saint George celebrated by the Russian Orthodox Church.Along with various other Christian churches, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of St George on April 23 , which falls on May 6 of the Western Calendar...
(November 26).