A Legal Manuscript of 1784, Reflecting the Possessory Rights of the Romanian Pastoral Village of Rășinari

The study presents Transmissionales in causa Possesionis Resinar contra Liberam Regiamque Civitatem Cibiniensem 1784, a manuscript volume of 1,318 pages, preserved at the Church Museum of the Bishops’ House in Rășinari, Sibiu county, transcribed entirely and translated partially by a group of medieval and modern history researchers from the “George Barițiu” Institute of History of the Romanian Academy in Cluj-Napoca. As the urbarial trials filed in court by the Romanian inhabitants of Rășinari against the Saxon Magistrate of  the Sibiu city  and seat lasted over half a century (1735-1784), these Transmissionales fully  reflect the course followed by the civil juridical documents (regarding either legal actions or procedures) in South Transylvania during the 18^th century. The article also shows the contents, structure, as well as an essential chronology of the  volume of Transmissionales, followed by its  comprehensive  annexes  (including the conscription of Rășinari from 1754-1784, diplomas and juridical documents from the 13^th-18^th centuries).

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