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.

The services of villenage were gradually rendered less onerous and uncertain.

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

He said: 'If the statute of Charles II. ever be repealed, the law of villenage revives in its full force.'

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

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

Villenage.—Can any of your readers inform me at what period villenage became extinct in this kingdom?

From Notes and Queries, Number 78, April 26, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George

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