!!!Zehent

Tithe, tenth part of the field crop contributed by lay people to 
support the clergy, introduced as Christianity spread in the Middle 
Ages. One third of the tithe was due to the diocesan bishop, the rest 
to the local clergy. Paying tithes was obligatory for all subjects 
with land holdings, but the subjects themselves were not personally 
dependent on the tithe holder. Therefore the right to levy tithe soon 
became a freely saleable form of rent charges, in many cases also 
acquired by secular lords and even freemen. Only special crops or 
newly cultivated land were exempt from tithing (for a certain time). 
Tithes were exacted as field tithes (every 10%%sup th/%  sheaf) or as 
bag tithes from threshed field crops; field tithes were 
disadvantageous for countryside improvement; blood tithes were levied 
on livestock (mainly small animals). The tithe system was abolished in 
1848.

!Literature
W. Ploechl, Das kirchliche Zehentwesen in 
Niederoesterreich, 1935; H. Feigl, Die niederoesterreichische 
Grundherrschaft, 1964.


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