A social and economic system under the feudal system, whereby peasants owed their lord labour, theoretically in return for protection.
Serfdom
Fact of the Day
The names of the English rivers Amber, Avon, Axe, Esk, Exe, Ouse, Humber, Irwell, Thames and Tyne all mean 'river' or 'water' in various old languages.
Quote of the Day
"If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.
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~ Voltaire
On This Day
41 Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus aka Caligula (Little Boots) was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard he bullied.
76 The future Roman Emperor Hadrian was born in Spain. He was considered one of the 'Five Good Emperors'.
1848 James Marshall discovered gold along the banks of Sutter's Creek, sparking the California Gold Rush.
1943 In Casablanca President Roosevelt and Prime Miniter Winston Churchill concluded that only unconditional surrender by the Nazis would end the war.
1965 Winston Churchill died after suffering a severe stroke nine days earlier. He was 90 years old.
1972 Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi was discovered hiding in the jungles of Guam, unaware that World War II had ended.