Grundherrschaft

Manorial System, predominant form of land tenure in Austria in rural areas from the early Middle Ages to 1848. The landlord had to grant his vassals protection and shelter ("Schutz und Schirm") and exercised administrative and judicial functions. The relationship of the unfree peasants to their landlord was characterised by varying degrees of dependency; they had to pay their duties in kind or money and do statute labour. The manorial system came to an end when the farmlands which had been cultivated by the peasants ("Rustikalbesitz") were transferred to the peasants upon payment of compensation, while the lands that had been used by the manorial lords themselves ("Dominikalbesitz") were turned into private landed property and large estates.