villenage

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And even the peasants themselves, though later than other orders of the state, made their escape from those bonds of villenage or slavery in which they had formerly been retained.

From The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part B. From Henry III. to Richard III. by Hume, David

And when these had lasted a considerable time in any manor, the villenage of the latter, without any manumission, would have expired by desuetude.

From View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 by Hallam, Henry

In relation to the tenants in villenage, the court baron was called the customary court.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various

The tenements in villenage, whether by law or usage, were never separated from the lordship, while its domain was reduced to a smaller extent through subinfeudations, sales, or demises for valuable rent.

From View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 by Hallam, Henry

This increase of villenage morally depressed the peasantry, and widened still further the breach between the yeomanry and the gentry.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2 "Demijohn" to "Destructor" by Various