Precarium

The precarial was a frequently encountered borrowing of the country in the early Middle Ages, which goes back to the oldest practice already in republican Rome.

The word is derived from the Late Latin noun precarium ( = fief ( land ) ), which ( = requested, withdrawn) on the Latin adjective precarius back grants and stands next to the defective singular noun preces ( = Please, request ).

The land was granted by a landowner to a farmer for life or for several (up to three) generations. Precaria were authenticated by the churches, but will have also existed in relation to the rural nobility.

Through conscientious, accidents, natural disasters or high fines ( Salic Law ) saw the threatened ruin of farmers in the borrowing a way out. The Entrusted was often committed to Natural and monetary donations also compulsory labor, and placed himself under the protection of the feudal lords.

The Protective became the master of the protected, which he represented in court matters.

The donated by free peasants a big landlords or the clergy country was often returned as precarial to the Schenker. Thus, the feudal domination expanded.

• Feudalism