gratitus labor (Latin, free work)

Public work, especially in the form of labour performed at the fortification works of border fortresses. It was voted for by the orders at the meeting of the Hungarian parliament, similarly to military tax. It was spent on the fortification of border fortresses as the situation became dangerous due to Turkish expansion. In general the villeins of three or four counties were ordered to take part in the construction work of an important fortress (Győr, Eger, Szatmár...etc.) At first it was six days of work, later it was modified to 12 days. In certain regions of the country it was possible to exchange this work for money. Thus, villeins played a great role in maintaining the system of border fortresses with their own work, besides paying military tax.

PG