The early laukininkai community, or laukas, was obligated to provide the dukes and their officials with food and other accommodations when they stayed in the vicinity, and to help in building and maintaining castles and defense fortifications. Since the 14th century laukininkai were required to pay regular taxes, known as sidabrinė and dėkla. Sidabrinė was paid in silver and was the main source of revenue for the military. Dėkla was paid in grain, hay and other products. To administer the collection, the state territory was subdivided into volots, governed by a tijūnas, who was appointed to collect the tax and serve as a judge in laukininkai trials and disputes.
