laws concerning serfs

Serfs were peasant workers bound to a lord’s estate under medieval law. They couldn't freely leave or sell their land without the lord’s permission. In exchange for land or protection, they owed services or rent, often including farming and maintenance. Serfs had limited legal rights; their obligations were set by custom and their lord’s rules. While not slaves, their freedom was restricted, making them part of a hierarchical social system that prioritized landownership and feudal loyalty. Laws aimed to regulate and maintain these relationships, ensuring stability for the ruling classes.