In parts of medieval Europe, over 90 percent of the people lived in country villages.
Peasants worked long days on the land. Serfs or villeins (vih-LANES) worked for the lord a certain number of days per week. Plus, they had to pay him fees. These included a yearly tax and also a fee when a woman was wed. Peasants called freemen paid him rent. But they owed no fees and less labor.
