Serfs in Eastern Europe

Serfs in Eastern Europe were peasant farmers bound to the land and under the control of local landlords from the Middle Ages until the 19th century. They worked the land and paid rent or provided labor in exchange for protection and the right to cultivate plots for their families. Unlike slaves, serfs could not be sold separately from the land, but they had limited rights and often faced harsh living conditions. Serfdom was a significant aspect of feudal society and began to decline with reforms in the 19th century, leading to greater freedom and mobility for rural populations.