History The Feudal System Questions Long
In the Feudal System, serfs were at the bottom of the social hierarchy and had limited social and economic rights. They were bound to the land they worked on and were considered the property of the lord or noble who owned the land.
Socially, serfs were obligated to provide labor and services to their lord. They were required to work on the lord's land for a certain number of days each week, usually three days, and were also responsible for maintaining the lord's estate. This included tasks such as farming, harvesting crops, and tending to livestock. Serfs were not allowed to leave the land without the permission of their lord and were tied to the land for generations, passing their status as serfs onto their children.
Economically, serfs had limited rights and were heavily dependent on their lord for their livelihood. They were required to pay various forms of rent and taxes to their lord, which could include a portion of their crops, livestock, or even labor. Additionally, serfs were often subjected to various fees and fines imposed by their lord, further limiting their economic freedom. They were not allowed to own land or engage in trade without the permission of their lord, and any surplus they produced belonged to the lord.
Despite their limited rights, serfs were entitled to some protection from their lord. The lord had the responsibility to provide them with housing, protection, and justice. Serfs were also entitled to a portion of the land for their own subsistence, known as the "demesne," which they could use to grow their own crops and raise livestock for their own consumption.
Overall, the social and economic rights of serfs in the Feudal System were severely restricted. They were tied to the land, obligated to provide labor and services to their lord, and had limited economic freedom. Their status as serfs was hereditary, passing from one generation to the next, further perpetuating their limited rights and opportunities.