The Origins of Serfdom

Serfdom arose in many ways. The first of these was that it became so difficult to sow the fields in olden times, because of the armies in the field and the battles against the Crown, that those who were unable to obtain justice became and remained serfs, both themselves and their heirs. The second is that in past times many gave themselves, their heirs, and their property to the saints out of great devotion, and paid dues which they had thought up in their own hearts. The agents of the churches wrote down what they paid and whatever else they could get from their connection, and so the agents exploited them and have always done so more and more out of the malice which has grown in them beyond mesure: so what was done at first in good faith has been turned to the disadvantage and degradation of the heirs. The third way was by sale: for example, if someone succumbed to poverty and said to some lord, "You give me so much, and I will become your man of the body." And sometimes they became so by outright gift of themselves, so as to be protected from other lords or from some enmity afoot against them. Serfdom arose through all these causes in the past, for according to the natural law everyone is free, but this natural freedom has been corrupted by the acquisitions stated above.

Philippe de Beaumanoir, Coutumes du Beauvaisis, ed. Beugnot, Prais: J. Renouard & Cie, 1842.