Villeins

Villeins were peasants in medieval Europe who lived and worked on a lord's land, known as a manor. They were not free to leave without the lord’s permission and owed certain duties, like labor, crops, or payments, in exchange for protection and use of the land. While they had some rights, their position was largely subordinate, tying them to the estate. Villeins were a key part of the feudal system, providing the agricultural work necessary to sustain the economic structure of medieval society.