Villein
noun
A peasant in the European middle ages who was under the control of a lord who they worked for, and could not leave without the lord's permission.
During the medieval times, villeins were at the mercy of their lords with seldom any rights of their own.
Often appears as...
- medieval villein
- villein in feudal system
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A peasant in the European middle ages who was under the control of a lord who they worked for, and could not leave without the lord's permission.
During the medieval times, villeins were at the mercy of their lords with seldom any rights of their own.
Often appears as...
- medieval villein
- villein in feudal system
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Term
Used mainly in historical contexts related to European feudalism or studies of the Middle Ages.
The manor included land for the villein to farm.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Modern
'Villein' is an outdated term and isn't used in contemporary language except when discussing historical subjects.
He wrote a thesis on the life of a villein.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Status
Villein indicates a low social status in the past, inferior to free peasants or knights.
A villein owed his allegiance and labor to the feudal lord.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Term
Used mainly in historical contexts related to European feudalism or studies of the Middle Ages.
The manor included land for the villein to farm.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Modern
'Villein' is an outdated term and isn't used in contemporary language except when discussing historical subjects.
He wrote a thesis on the life of a villein.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Status
Villein indicates a low social status in the past, inferior to free peasants or knights.
A villein owed his allegiance and labor to the feudal lord.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Term
Used mainly in historical contexts related to European feudalism or studies of the Middle Ages.
The manor included land for the villein to farm.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Modern
'Villein' is an outdated term and isn't used in contemporary language except when discussing historical subjects.
He wrote a thesis on the life of a villein.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Status
Villein indicates a low social status in the past, inferior to free peasants or knights.
A villein owed his allegiance and labor to the feudal lord.
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