Volatiivsete

Volatiivsete is a term used to describe a group of Estonian peasants, primarily from the 16th to 18th centuries, who were characterized by their distinctive mode of livelihood and social status. Volatiivsete were landowning farmers who engaged in agriculture as well as subsidiary economic activities, such as animal husbandry and handicrafts.

Historians consider them to be part of the "akovordsete" social class, who were situated above the serfs but below the petty aristocracy. This position allowed them to accumulate wealth and influence over time, although they were not necessarily considered equal to the nobility. Volatiivsete primarily resided in Estonia's rural areas, where they cultivated land and tended to their livestock.

Little is known about the specifics of their lives, although they likely attended church services and participated in local festivals. Their role within Estonian society was significant, as they helped to shape the country's economic and social landscape. Research suggests that they were both self-sufficient farmers and entrepreneurs, adapting to the changing economic conditions of the time.

The transformation of Volatiivsete's social status and influence over time is a topic of interest for historians studying the evolution of Estonian society during the early modern period. This includes the gradual decline of their economic and social standing as the region became increasingly integrated into the Swedish Empire.