Wine-Growers and Vineyard Tenants in Hungary in the Middle Ages
Wine-Growers and Vineyard Tenants in Hungary in the Middle Ages

Summary/Abstract: Viticulture and wine-production were of significant importance even in the economy of the Middle Ages. Wine-growers carrying out economic activity, formed a special group amongst servants being under the obligation of the owner of the land. Permanency of their title, furthermore their services and benefits arising from this special type of economy also indicate this. Wine-growing established special contractual relationships, too. Lease, lease of usage of vineyards bore the speciality of viticulture. These contracts were frequently concluded by owners with lessees aiming the planting of grapes, who – as a result of their investments – took over the lands put at their disposal usually for an indefinite term and also acquired rights on these lands based on agreements, further their male descendant heirs inherited the lease right according to the contractual terms. In most cases in the 13th century, vineyards were leased by members of privileged hospes communities. According to the contract between the lessor and the hospes, civis tenant, the latter has the obligation to pay rent in return for getting the profits of the vineyard. Further the tenant – as a consequence of his legal status and in lack of other stipulation – had other obligations, too, arising from his economic activity, among others the payment of the decima. On the territories under the jurisdiction of their hospites, cives communities, the members also planted grape if the land was suitable for this. From the 14th century, tenants planting grape were mostly serfs, who, further to the payment of the rent fee, were obliged to pay taxes, to deliver some kind of gifts after the profit of the vineyard and the wine produced.

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