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.

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

In relation to the tenants in villenage, the court baron was called the customary court.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various

This increase of villenage morally depressed the peasantry, and widened still further the breach between the yeomanry and the gentry.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2 "Demijohn" to "Destructor" by Various

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

It is obvious, however, that judgment was in no case given in favour of the plea; so that we can infer nothing as to the actual continuance of villenage.

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