Page 86 - Panjek, Aleksander, Jesper Larsson and Luca Mocarelli, eds. 2017. Integrated Peasant Economy in a Comparative Perspective: Alps, Scandinavia and Beyond. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 86
integr ated peasant economy in a compar ative perspective
Introduction
Although documented in all its diversity during the Early Modern Peri-
od, peasant trade (commerce) and a wide range of other supplementary
activities of the Slovenian peasant population originated from the Midd-
le Ages. For the correct understanding of the phenomena outlined here it
is necessary to understand the causes and circumstances of its emergence,
including:
a) the introduction of a monetary economy, which – in parallel with
‘exchange in kind’ – had been present in these parts from at least
the 12th century onwards,
b) demographic and climate changes,
c) the less favourable macroeconomic situation in the late Middle
Ages
d) The role of the seigniory (estate) as an initiator of agricultural sur-
plus, non-urban crafts and peasant commerce.
The aim of this medieval section of the project is to provide an over-
view of the range and forms of the studied phenomena in their early stag-
es of development.
One important aspect of this research is the influence of the seignio-
ry on agricultural economy. In the territory under investigation in the me-
dieval period – from at least the 12th century onwards – one can barely im-
agine agricultural production outside the seigniorial bounds (Dopsch 1999,
19). The free peasants that survived up to this point represented a very small
fraction of the integral branch. The peasant population mainly formed a
distinct class of tenants, subject to a certain person belonging to – or to a
certain institution controlled by – the upper strata of society. Their con-
trol over agricultural facilities – including serfs – represented the seignio-
ry (Vilfan 1980, 78). From the economic point of view, seigniories (man-
ors) may be seen as large-scale units of agricultural activity, which – due
to the demands they imposed upon immediate producers – importantly
influenced and to a certain extent directed agricultural production (Biz-
jak 2003, 231). These demands mostly resulted in increased peasant pro-
duction, its commitment to meet the demands of the seigniory, the lord
as well as the market and finally in the peasant’s entrance into the market
mainly as a consequence of ever greater demands for dues in money.1 But
1 One must not overlook the peasants own initiative to trade with their products,
which is unfortunately not documented in medieval sources.
84
Introduction
Although documented in all its diversity during the Early Modern Peri-
od, peasant trade (commerce) and a wide range of other supplementary
activities of the Slovenian peasant population originated from the Midd-
le Ages. For the correct understanding of the phenomena outlined here it
is necessary to understand the causes and circumstances of its emergence,
including:
a) the introduction of a monetary economy, which – in parallel with
‘exchange in kind’ – had been present in these parts from at least
the 12th century onwards,
b) demographic and climate changes,
c) the less favourable macroeconomic situation in the late Middle
Ages
d) The role of the seigniory (estate) as an initiator of agricultural sur-
plus, non-urban crafts and peasant commerce.
The aim of this medieval section of the project is to provide an over-
view of the range and forms of the studied phenomena in their early stag-
es of development.
One important aspect of this research is the influence of the seignio-
ry on agricultural economy. In the territory under investigation in the me-
dieval period – from at least the 12th century onwards – one can barely im-
agine agricultural production outside the seigniorial bounds (Dopsch 1999,
19). The free peasants that survived up to this point represented a very small
fraction of the integral branch. The peasant population mainly formed a
distinct class of tenants, subject to a certain person belonging to – or to a
certain institution controlled by – the upper strata of society. Their con-
trol over agricultural facilities – including serfs – represented the seignio-
ry (Vilfan 1980, 78). From the economic point of view, seigniories (man-
ors) may be seen as large-scale units of agricultural activity, which – due
to the demands they imposed upon immediate producers – importantly
influenced and to a certain extent directed agricultural production (Biz-
jak 2003, 231). These demands mostly resulted in increased peasant pro-
duction, its commitment to meet the demands of the seigniory, the lord
as well as the market and finally in the peasant’s entrance into the market
mainly as a consequence of ever greater demands for dues in money.1 But
1 One must not overlook the peasants own initiative to trade with their products,
which is unfortunately not documented in medieval sources.
84
