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.

To people imbued with ideas of feudalism the way of escape from villenage seemed to be not independence, but a new reversion to it.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 8 "Chariot" to "Chatelaine" by Various

I cannot presume to conjecture in what degree voluntary manumission is to be reckoned among the means that contributed to the abolition of villenage.

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

But the germs of freedom did not die, for villenage in Normandy was lighter, and60 ceased far sooner, than in the rest of France.

From The Story of Rouen by Cook, Theodore Andrea, Sir

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

Much reference was made to the ancient laws of villenage, or semi-slavery, in Britain.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 448 Volume 18, New Series, July 31, 1852 by Chambers, William