The History of the Conflict Over the Burghers Burdens of Rossosz (1803–1864)

Abstract

In the years 1803–1864, the burghers of Rossosz, the town located in Southern Podlasie, with great determination fought a legal dispute over the scope of serfdom with its owners. At the same time, from 1803, with short breaks, they did not pay the appointed rents, and from 1811 they also did not earn serfdom. Even the loss of numerous court cases and the requisitioning of their properties did not induce them to submit to the heirs. The conflict ended only after the enfranchisement of the inhabitants of Rossosz in 1864. The ongoing dispute brought economic losses to both sides. In the case of the townspeople, profits from failure to fulfil burdens were offset by high procedural costs, debt executions and constant uncertainty about the future. The reason that led to the conflict in Rossosz can be considered the strong integration of the local community around the sense of harm suffered.