Local migration of peasants in the Late Middle Ages: a quantitative analysis of the Cheb city state 1442-1456
Abstract
Many scholars have proved statistically that the migration of the early modern European peasantry was predominantly local and socially conditioned. In this study we try to expand our quantified knowledge on the late medieval period using the unique documentary evidence from the Cheb city state (Czech Republic).
Based on the detailed analysis we show that the migration pattern of the late medieval Cheb peasantry was similar to the early modern one despite very different demographic, economic and social conditions. The strength of the ties to the land increased with wealth, the better the property status of the household, the lower the rate of replacement on the holding.
Poorer peasants migrated relatively often among rural holdings, gaining a better position. Wealthy peasants migrated to the city, where they were among the richer burghers.
Even though peasant migration took place over short distances, it brought about fundamental changes for many peasants.