Villein: meaning, definitions and examples

Historical Origins

• The term comes from the Latin word 'villanus', meaning 'farmhand' or 'farm worker'.
• Villeins were part of the feudal system in medieval Europe, working land owned by a lord.
• They were often bound to the land and had to pay certain dues to their lord, making them a kind of serf.

Social Structure

• In the hierarchy of medieval society, villeins were below free peasants but above enslaved individuals.
• Their status could vary, with some gaining rights over time, especially after the Black Death which reduced labor supply.
• Villeins had some legal rights, such as being entitled to work their own plots of land, but they also had many obligations.

Literature

• Villeins appear in Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales', showcasing their role in medieval life.
• Shakespeare references villeins in plays like 'Henry IV', highlighting their struggle for rights and freedoms.
• Stories from the Middle Ages often portrayed villeins in tales of resilience against oppressive lords.

Culture

• The depiction of villeins can often be found in historical films and documentaries, illustrating life in the medieval period.
• Modern fantasy literature sometimes borrows elements from the concept of villeins, using them as a basis for commoners in fictional settings.

Economics

• Villeins played a key role in the agrarian economy of medieval Europe, providing labor for the lord's lands.
• Their existence was crucial during the feudal system, as they contributed to the production of food and goods.

This word's position of #32,713 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 32710 tinkled
• 32711 marginalize
• 32712 vituperative
• 32713 villein
• 32714 retaliating
• 32715 temporizing
• 32716 contrariwise
• ...