Original scientific paper
The resettlement of „runaway serf“ in the Varaždin general command. Contribution to the understanding of Early Modern migrations in part of today´s northwestern Croatia [Summary]
Hrvoje Petrić
Abstract
The author analyzed the resettlement of so-called colon fugitivi („runaway serf“) in the Military Frontier (Varaždin general command) and the related fragments of the migration process in a wider area (Varaždinština, Hrvatsko Zagorje, Međimurje, Podravina, Prigorje, Posavina, etc.).Immigrants in Varaždin general command were of diverse origin. Among them were so-called colon fugitivi who fled as a result of the severe conditions from the inland manors – mainly from Varaždin, Zagreb and Zaladske County (mostly from Međimurje), Slovene ethnic territory, etc. They gradually and illegally settled the half-desolated areas of Varazdin general command. It is possible to conclude that immigrants originating from Zagorje, Posavina and Međimurje were quite numerous, but they settled into dispersed communities. A part of colon fugitivi in Varaždingeneral command were „recruited“ from the ranks of the immediate neighborhood, i. e. from nearby manors and estates in Križevačka County, which was at the same time settled by new immigrants who instead of serf received much more favorable freeman´s status. Early modern migrations are significant because they partially formed base of population presence which draws influence to this day. The surnames that are related to the origins from some of today's micro-areas of northwestern Croatian tell us that these people have hidden their identity in a new home country to protect themself from the possibility of returning to the old estates.
Keywords
migrations; demographic history; Varaždin general command; the Military Frontier; northwestern Croatia; Early Modern Period
Hrčak ID:
85405
URI
Publication date:
18.8.2011.
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