serfdom in England

Serfdom in England was a medieval social system where peasants, called serfs, were tied to the land owned by a lord. They couldn't leave or change their work without permission and owed labor, produce, or other services to the lord. In return, they received protection and a place to live. Though not slaves, serfs had limited freedom and were part of the estate's economy, with their rights and obligations strictly regulated. This system maintained local order and supported the feudal hierarchy, gradually declining by the late Middle Ages as social and economic changes took hold.