In some places in medieval Europe, over 90 percent of the people lived in villages scattered throughout the countryside.
Peasants spent long days working the land. Serfs or villeins (vih-LANES) had to work for the lord a certain number of days per week. Plus, they paid the lord fees, including a yearly tax and a fee when a woman got married. Other peasants, called freemen, paid rent but not fees and owed the lord less labor.
