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.

After this manner villenage went gradually into disuse throughout the more civilized parts of Europe: the interest of the master, as well as that of the slave, concurred in this alteration.

From The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part B. From Henry III. to Richard III. by Hume, David

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

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

The purchasers under these alienations had occasion for labourers; and these would be free servants in respect of such employers, though in villenage to their original lord.

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

The beginning of the seventeenth century is the period usually referred to as the date of the extinction of personal villenage.

From Notes and Queries, Number 09, December 29, 1849 by Various