VILLEINAGE Meaning and
Definition
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Villeinage is a term that refers to a system of serfdom or a condition in which individuals were legally bound to work on the land owned by a lord or feudal estate. It was commonly used during the medieval period, particularly in Europe, as a form of social and economic organization.
In this system, villeins, or serfs, were obligated to work the land and provide various services to the lord or landowner who owned the estate. They were generally not allowed to leave the land without permission and were subject to strict control and limitations on their personal freedom. Villeins were required to pay rent or fees in produce, labor, or other forms as a means of sustaining their position and livelihood.
Villeinage often involved a hierarchical structure, with the lord or landowner at the top, followed by various levels of peasants or serfs, each holding different degrees of rights and responsibilities. Frequently, this system also granted the lord certain privileges and jurisdiction over the lives and legal matters of the villeins.
Over time, villeinage began to decline and eventually disappeared as the feudal system evolved and societies transformed. The rise of cities, changes in economic structures, and social movements contributed to its decline and the eventual rise of more individual and less bound forms of agrarian labor. Villeinage remains an important historical concept that helps us understand the dynamics of medieval society and the conditions endured by serfs during that time.
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Lands and tenements held by base service.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for VILLEINAGE
Etymology of VILLEINAGE
The word "villeinage" is derived from the Old French term "villenage" which originated in the 13th century. It refers to the legal status of a villein, which was a class of unfree peasants in medieval Europe. The Old French term is ultimately derived from the Latin word "villanus" which means "a person living on a farm" or "a peasant". The word "villeinage" is used to describe the system of serfdom and obligations that were imposed on the villeins by their lords.
Similar spelling words for VILLEINAGE
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