Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Freemen, Villains, Serfs, and Clerks explained
This chapter describes the social hierarchy of medieval society, focusing on the distinctions between freemen, serfs, villains, and clerks.
What happens
This chapter describes the social hierarchy of medieval society, focusing on the distinctions between freemen, serfs, villains, and clerks. Freemen were independent landowners who sometimes became vassals for protection. Serfs were the lowest class of slaves, with all their labor belonging to their master. Villains were less degraded, attached to the soil but able to keep surplus produce after paying a fixed rent. The term 'clerk' originally referred to clergy but later expanded to include anyone who could read, granting them legal privileges such as exemption from capital punishment.
Key passages
“The other classes of which society was composed were, first, freemen, owners of small portions of land independent, though they sometimes voluntarily became the vassals of their more opulent neighbors, whose power was necessary for their protection.”
Society also included freemen, who owned small plots of land and were independent, though they sometimes chose to become vassals of wealthier neighbors for protection.
Describes the status of freemen in medieval society.
“The serfs were in the lowest state of slavery. All the fruits of their labor belonged to the master whose land they tilled, and by whom they were fed and clothed.”
Serfs were the most degraded slaves; everything they produced went to the master who owned the land they worked and who provided for their basic needs.
Explains the condition of serfs.
“The villains were less degraded. Their situation seems to have resembled that of the Russian peasants at this day. Like the serfs, they were attached to the soil, and were transferred with it by purchase; but they paid only a fixed rent to the landlord, and had a right to dispose of any surplus that might arise from their industry.”
Villains were not as degraded as serfs, similar to Russian peasants of the time. They were tied to the land and sold with it, but they paid a set rent and could keep any extra earnings from their work.
Compares villains to Russian peasants and outlines their rights.
“The term 'clerk' was of very extensive import. It comprehended, originally, such persons only as belonged to the clergy, or clerical order, among whom, however, might be found a multitude of married persons, artisans or others. But in process of time a much wider rule was established; everyone that could read being accounted a clerk or clericus , and allowed the 'benefit of clergy,' that is, exemption from capital and some other forms of punishment, in case of crime.”
The word 'clerk' originally referred only to clergy, but later came to include anyone who could read, granting them legal immunity from capital punishment and other penalties.
Explains the evolution of the term 'clerk' and its legal implications.