ceorl

Definitions

Examples

• The Teutonic race had a myth which explained the origin of the classes eorl, ceorl and thrall (earl, churl and slave).

• It was the 'ceorl' who lived on 'gafol land,' 172 and to pay gafol was to do service, though of a limited kind.

• The ceorl obtains the thegnly wergild if he has an estate rated for military purposes at five hides.

• This status seems to be hereditary; the thegns sons are dearer born than are the sons of the ceorl.

• If the bishop often insisted on the letter of this severe rule, he must have reduced many a free ceorl to beggary.