Diezmos y primicias de la iglesia de Mélida. Una aproximación a la producción agraria de la villa (1693-1840) [Tithes and fruit provisions of Mélida’s Parish. An approach to the agricultural production of the village (1693-1840)]

Abstract

The tithes and fruit provisions were taxes collected by the Church. T hey taxed agricultural gross production in the countryside. In this essay, various products and amounts tithed in the village for the 1693-1840 period are analysed, using the tazmías books kept in Mélida’s parish’s archives as a documental base. Also, the recollection and share systems of the said contribution between the beneficiaries, the annual variations, and the evolution through the mentioned period are described. Finally, an approach to the agricultural production of the town based on the taxed tithes is carried out.