birtokossági

Birtokossági refers to a historical system of land ownership and tenure prevalent in Hungary, particularly during the feudal era. It denotes a complex arrangement where land was held by individuals or families under various forms of obligation and service to a higher authority, often a landowner or the crown. These holdings were not absolute ownership in the modern sense but rather a right to use and benefit from the land in exchange for specific duties.

The term encompasses different types of landholding, including noble estates, church lands, and peasant plots. The specific rights and responsibilities associated with a birtokossági varied significantly depending on the status of the holder and the nature of the land. For instance, noble birtokossági often entailed administrative and military obligations, while peasant birtokossági typically involved labor services and payment of dues to the landowner. The concept played a crucial role in the socio-economic structure of medieval and early modern Hungary, shaping agricultural practices, social hierarchies, and the distribution of wealth and power. Understanding birtokossági is key to comprehending the historical development of Hungarian land law and rural society.