Serfdom

Status of peasants under feudalism

Serfdom was a condition of debt bondage and indentured servitude. It developed during late antiquity and the Early Middle Ages in Europe and lasted in some countries until the mid-19th century and became the status of many peasants under feudalism, specifically relating to manorialism and similar systems. Unlike slaves, serfs could not be bought, sold, or traded individually, though they could, depending on the area, be sold together with land.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA. More on occurri.