1. Definition
The German term Gesinde (servants in husbandry; from OHG gisind, “liegeman”) denotes the servants (Knecht) and maids employed (mostly) for pay in agricultural production. Unlike day laborers, they entered into a non-seasonal contract (see 2. below) with a peasant farmer (Peasants) and were integrated into the peasant household (Ganzes Haus).
2. Social aspects
The peasant family can be thought of as a potential workforce, whose …