A. The Smerd (Free Peasant)
The Backbone of Society
Status:
- Free man
- Owned or rented land
- Paid taxes to Knyaz
- Served in militia when called
Rights:
- Could attend Veche (though rarely spoke)
- Could own property
- Could seek justice in courts
- Could NOT be sold (unlike slaves)
Obligations:
- Tribute (Dan): Grain, furs, honey to Knyaz
- Labor Service (Barshchina): Work Knyaz’s fields (10-20 days/year)
- Military Service: When called, bring own weapons
The Descent: Smerd could become Kholop (slave) if:
- Couldn’t pay debts
- Captured in war
- Sold himself (starvation desperation)
- The Kholop (Slave)
The Non-Person
Status:
- Property, not person
- No legal rights
- Could be bought, sold, killed (owner’s discretion)
Origins:
- War captives (most common)
- Debt slaves (sold self for loan)
- Born slaves (children of slave mothers)
- Criminals (sentenced to slavery for major crimes)
Types:
- Household Slaves (Kholopy Domowe):
- Domestic servants
- Better treated (valuable)
- Sometimes manumitted (freed) in owner’s will
- Field Slaves (Kholopy Rolne):
- Agricultural labor
- Harsh conditions
- High mortality
- Skilled Slaves (Kholopy Rzemieślnicy):
- Blacksmiths, carpenters, weavers
- Valuable, well-treated
- Could earn freedom through exceptional work
Manumission: Slaves could be freed:
- Owner’s death (will)
- Ransom (family buys freedom)
- Escape to free city (1 year unclaimed = free)
- Conversion to Christianity (later period—Church encouraged freeing Christian slaves)