Stavnsbånd

The stavnsbånd (lit. 'home-bondage') was a serfdom-like institution introduced in Denmark in 1733 which existed in some form until 1800. It bonded men between certain ages to live on the estate where they were born. It was possible, however, to purchase a pass from the landowner releasing one from this bondage. Thus, in practice, estate owners and their sons were not typically bound to live on their estates, but young laborers were unable to leave.

The stavnsbånd was introduced following of a crisis in 1730 where many agricultural laborers relocated to urban areas in search of a better quality of life. This led to a falling supply of farm labourers and men in the militia, which at the time were both connected to estates. The stavnsbånd was introduced in 1733 to ensure that estate owners were able to maintain a sufficient labour force to supply their own enterprise and the nation's civilian army.

Initially, men between the ages of 14 and 36 were bound to the estate they had been born, however the age range was extended to 4–40 year-olds before its abolition. The institution was gradually abolished between 1788 and the introduction of military conscription in 1848.