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.
These are, first, the servitude or villenage of the peasantry, and their gradual emancipation from that condition; and, secondly, the continual increase of commercial intercourse with foreign countries.
From View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 by Hallam, Henry
The condition of the peasantry, however, during this reign reached its lowest point, and the “recess,” or charter, of 1653 practically recognizes the existence of villenage.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 4 "Bradford, William" to "Brequigny, Louis" by Various
And thus it will be found in the history of nations, that, whenever population has reached that density in the temperate zones, serfdom, villenage, or slavery, whatever it has been called, has disappeared.
From The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government by Davis, Jefferson
Serfdom and villenage, distinctive features of, i. 197-200.
From View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 by Hallam, Henry
In the days of the most perfect villenage, they had, doubtless, eaten the bread of idleness, and claimed it as a right.
From International Miscellany of Literature, Art and Science, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 1, 1850 by Various