Mittelkötter

This article deals with the serf peasants; the cabaret fictional character Mia Mittelkötter is explained under the lemma of its creator Lioba Albus .

Agricultural work in a depiction around 1470

In the agricultural history of various regions of Northern Germany, a serf peasant who was fourth in the village hierarchy was referred to as Mittelkötter . The historical names for members of this social group varied from region to region. So they were also called Kötter , Mutt , Köthner , Kötner , Kätner or Kotsassen . Especially in Prussia and Mecklenburg they were called Kossaten , Kossater or Kossaten .

The middle kotters were in the social hierarchy below the big kötter, but above the small kötter. They cultivated an arable area of ​​around 4 to 7.5 hectares, which was usually away from the house. However, the income was not enough for a living, so they had additional sources of income and worked, for example, as shepherds or craftsmen. In addition, in return for the letting of the dung and the arable land, they had to provide handicraft and tensioning services for the landlord mainly during harvest time, pay interest in cash and deliver natural produce such as chickens, eggs and grain. The manual services were mostly done with a scythe, rake or spade. Those affected found this work to be a heavy burden and were extremely reluctant to do. There were frequent complaints from the landlords about bad work or lack of punctuality.

These services to be provided for the landlord were recorded in writing in the Salbuch . The Salbuch, also called Urbar , was introduced around 1500 and replaced by the land register around 1900 . It was a register of property rights of the landlord and the services of his serfs and is an important historical source today.

See also

• Peasant class

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Glossary of historical expressions ( Memento of the original dated February 3, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
2. ↑ Mittelkötter ( Memento of the original from September 24, 2005 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
3. ↑ Kätner ( Memento of the original from December 15, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
4. ^ Chronicle of Großenmarpe
5. ^ Settlement in Lippe