What is Serfdom?
[[File:6248 - Bologna - Lapide, nel cortile di Palazzo d'Accursio - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto, 9-Feb-2008.jpg|thumb|Modern-day (2007) [[Latin language|Latin]] inscription, quoting from the [[Liber Paradisus]], a law which abolished [[slavery]] in [[Bologna]], in 1256.]] {{Slavery}} '''Serfdom''' is the [[forced labour]] of serfs in a [[feudal society]]. In [[Middle Ages|medieval]] [[Europe]], serfs were [[peasant]] [[farmer]]s who worked without pay for a [[lord]]. In exchange, they got to live and work on the lord’s [[Manorialism|manor]]. They also got the lord’s protection. Serfs had more rights than [[Slavery|slaves]] (for example, serfs could own property). However, they were not completely free. They could not move, [[Marriage|marry]], or leave the manor without the lord’s permission. In most serfdoms, serfs were legally part of the land. If the land was sold, they were sold with it. Serfs worked in their lord’s fields. They sometimes did other things related to [[Farming|agriculture]], like [[forestry]] and [[transportation]] (by both land and river). Some also worked in [[craft]] and [[manufacturing]]. Serfdom developed from [[agriculture|agricultural]] slavery in the [[Roman Empire]]. It spread through [[Europe]] around the [[10th century]]. During the [[Middle Ages]], most European people lived in serfdoms. Serfdom lasted up to the 1600s in [[England]] and until 1789 in [[France]]. In most other European countries, serfdom continued until the early [[19th century]]. Serfdom was unusual in the Russian Empire until the 18th century when it became widespread. [[Alexander II of Russia]] abolished it in 1861,<!--needs info on China and Japan--> == The system of serfdom == During the Middle Ages in Europe, [[Monarchy|monarchs]], the [[Catholic Church]], and the [[nobility]] owned all land. Serfs did not own land. Instead, they did [[Manual labour|manual labor]] for landowners in exchange for a place to live and work. Most serfs were [[worker]]s, but some were [[craft]]smen - like the [[vill