villainage

[ˈvɪlənɪdʒ]

villainage Definition

• 1. the status or condition of being a villain or serf
• 2. the land or property held by villains or serfs

Using villainage: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "villainage" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The lord of the manor owned all the villainage.

• Example

  The peasants were bound to the villainage and could not leave without permission.

• Example

  Villainage was abolished in England in the 16th century.

villainage Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for villainage

• serfdom
• bondage
• slavery

Phrases with villainage

• hold in villainage

  to hold as a serf or slave

  Example

  The lord of the manor held many people in villainage.

• enfranchise from villainage

  to free from serfdom or slavery

  Example

  The king enfranchised the serfs from villainage.

• villainage tenure

  a type of feudal tenure in which the tenant was a villain or serf

  Example

  The land was held by villainage tenure.

Origins of villainage

from Old French 'vilenie', meaning 'villainy'

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Summary: villainage in Brief

'Villainage' [ˈvɪlənɪdʒ] refers to the status or condition of being a villain or serf, or the land or property held by them. It is associated with feudalism and was abolished in England in the 16th century. Phrases like 'hold in villainage' and 'enfranchise from villainage' describe the relationship between lords and serfs. 'Villainage tenure' is a type of feudal tenure.