Votchina or otchina (о́тчина - from word Father) was an East Slavic land estate that could be inherited. The term "votchina" was also used to describe the lands of a knyaz. The term originated in the law of Kievan Rus. An owner of votchina (votchinnik, вотчинник) not only had property rights to it, but also some administrative and legal power over people living on its territory. These… (More on Votchina)