Serfdom: A Complex Choice Between Autonomy and Security

The relationship between working people and their employers in medieval society under feudalism highlighted a lack of independence for peasants, who essentially belonged to their place of work. Unlike modern workers who enjoy the autonomy of being free agents in the labor market, peasants had to navigate a life where their survival was tied to their lords. While serfdom might seem undesirable, it represented a more secure option compared to the destitution faced by the homeless, often composed of disabled individuals or veterans. The transition from feudalism led to increased numbers of vagrants, signaling a change in labor dynamics. Peasant laborers operated under a system where they did not receive fixed wages; instead, they owed a portion of their labor to the lord, with the rest available to them.