The Serfdom Patent of 1 November 1781 aimed to abolish aspects of the traditional serfdom (German: Leibeigenschaft) system of the Habsburg monarchy through the establishment of basic civil liberties for the serfs.
The feudal system bound farmers to inherited pieces of land and subjected them to the absolute control of their landlord. The landlord was obligated to provide protection, in exchange for the serfs' labor and goods. The Serfdom Patent, issued by the enlightened absolutist Emperor Joseph II, diminished the long-established mastery of the landlords; thus allowing the serfs to independently choose marriage partners, pursue career choices, and move between estates.[1]
- ^ Barbara Jelavich (25 September 1987). Modern Austria: Empire and Republic, 1815-1986. Cambridge University Press. pp. 25–. ISBN 978-0-521-31625-5.