This paper presents analysis of urbariums as legal acts that regulate mutual rights and obligations of feudal lords and serfs. Urbariums are usually not unilateral acts of the feudal lord imposing obligations on the serfs, but the term contract is also used originally because the consent of both parties is required, regardless of the fact that the subjects are in a weaker position. Urbariums can be compared with modern acts of labor law, i.e. collective agreements. Urbariums are usually researched exclusively from the legal aspect, leaving data on agriculture and animal husbandry, as well as the use and protection of uncultivated land (pastures and forests) usually neglected. As such data can be investigated on the basis of mandatory payments of serfs to feudal lords and their work obligations, this paper aims to elaborate different types of income and expenditure accounts arising in 1593 in Vinodol, as compiled by the manager Marko Oršić, and determined by the Urbarium of Novi from 1606 and 1653. From the data on the restrictions on the use of uncultivated land, it can be determined that the inhabitants of that time carefully guarded it against excessive use or destruction, which could be defined today as an example of sustainable development.

Novi Vinodolski, 17th century, urbarium, agriculture, sustainable development

agronomy

Presentation: poster