villeinage

or vil·lain·age, vil·lan·age, vil·len·age

[ vil-uh-nij ]

noun

1. the tenure by which a villein held land and tenements from a lord.
2. the condition or status of a villein.

villeinage

/ ˈvɪlənɪdʒ /

noun

1. the status and condition of a villein
2. the tenure by which a villein held his land

Word History and Origins

Origin of villeinage¹

1275–1325; Middle English vilenage < Anglo-French, Old French. See villein, -age

Example Sentences

Some of them as tenants in free socage may maintain their position; many fall down into the class of tenants in villeinage.

From Project Gutenberg

Against a background of villeinage and week-work, the borough begins to stand out as the scene of burgage tenure.

From Project Gutenberg

The barons homines we take to be freeholders; he would be absolutely liable for the tax cast upon his villeinage.

From Project Gutenberg

First, what was the legal nature of copyhold tenure, and how did it arise out of medival villeinage?

From Project Gutenberg

Even merchet, the most hateful of all the incidents of villeinage, is something more than a mere memory.

From Project Gutenberg