A kholop in the early modern period was a feudally dependent person in Russia (Russian Empire). The term was translated at the time as “bondsman” or “serf” (Serfdom). A modern translation as “slave” [2] is fallacious, for the kholop had the capacity to bring proceedings and to take oaths, even against his lord, and enjoyed protection under ecclesiastical law. Kholops also received a rouble in compensation for injury to their honor, as laid down in the 1649 Sobornoye Ulozheniye (legal code) [1. 10.94; 20 et al.]. Limited as their legal status was, then, they were certainly no…
Kholop(842 words)
Cite this page
Nolte, Hans-Heinrich, “Kholop”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 04 October 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_SIM_022102>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20190124
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