Serf

Definition

A serf was a peasant in medieval Europe who was bound to the land and obligated to serve a lord, typically in exchange for protection and a small piece of land to cultivate for personal use. This arrangement was a fundamental aspect of the feudal system, where serfs worked on the lord's estate and provided labor, goods, and services, while the lord offered security and governance in return.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Serfs were not considered slaves; they could not be sold individually, but they were bound to the land they worked on.
2. The majority of peasants in medieval Europe were serfs, making them an essential part of the agricultural economy.
3. Serfs had specific obligations to their lords, including farming the lord's land, paying rent, and performing labor services.
4. Despite their lack of freedom, serfs could sometimes improve their conditions through hard work and could eventually buy their freedom.
5. The institution of serfdom began to decline in the late medieval period due to social changes, economic pressures, and the rise of a more market-oriented economy.

Review Questions

• How did serfs contribute to the functioning of the feudal system?
  • Serfs played a crucial role in the feudal system by providing the labor necessary for agricultural production on their lord's estate. They worked the land, cultivated crops, and raised livestock, which were vital for sustaining both their families and the local economy. In return for their labor, serfs received protection from their lord and access to land for their own subsistence farming. This mutual dependency helped maintain stability within the feudal structure.
• What were the differences between serfs and free peasants in medieval society?
  • The primary difference between serfs and free peasants was their legal status and obligations. Serfs were bound to the land they worked on and had specific duties to their lords, including labor on the lord's fields and payment of rent. In contrast, free peasants had more autonomy; they could own property, make choices about where to work, and were not obligated to serve a lord in the same way as serfs. This distinction greatly affected their social mobility and overall quality of life.
• Evaluate how the decline of serfdom impacted European society during the transition from the medieval period to early modernity.
  • The decline of serfdom significantly transformed European society by promoting greater social mobility and changing economic structures. As serfs gained more freedom and began to sell their labor in emerging markets, it facilitated the shift towards a more capitalist economy. This change led to urbanization as people moved to cities for work opportunities. Additionally, as traditional feudal obligations weakened, it contributed to the rise of individual rights and paved the way for modern democratic principles, altering social hierarchies and contributing to broader societal changes during this transitional period.

Related terms

Feudalism:

A social and economic system in medieval Europe where land was held by lords who granted it to vassals in exchange for military service, with serfs working the land.

Manor: A large estate owned by a lord that included the lord's residence, peasant villages, farmland, and sometimes a church, where serfs lived and worked.

Vassal:

A person who received land (a fief) from a lord in exchange for loyalty and service, often serving in a military capacity.