Serfdom

Serfdom refers to the legal and economic status of some peasants under feudalism, specifically in the manorial (also known as seigneurialism) economic system. A serf is a laborer who is bound to the land. Serfs formed the lowest social class of the feudal society. Serfs differed from slaves in that serfs were not property themselves and could not be sold apart from the land which they worked. Serfdom is the forced labour of serfs, on the fields of the privileged land owners, in return for protection and the right to work on their leased fields. Serfdom involved work not only on fields, but various agricultural-related works, like forestry, transportation (both land and river-based), work in craft and even in manufactures. Serfdom evolved from agricultural slavery of Roman Empire and spread through Europe around the 10th century. It was dominant during the Europe's Middle Ages. In England serfdom lasted up to 17th century, in France until 1789. In most other European countries serfdom lasted until the early 19th century. The last European country to abolish serfdom was Russia, in 1861.

Related Topics:
Peasant - Feudalism - Manorial - Seigneurialism - Economic system - Laborer - Social class - Feudal society - Slaves - Property - Forced labour - Work - Agricultural - Forestry - Transportation - Craft - Manufacture - Agricultural - Roman Empire - Europe - 10th century - Middle Ages - England - 17th century - France - 1789 - 19th century - 1861

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