Reply #53: Though not out-and-out slavery, the feudal system of the Middle Ages came very close to it [View All]

[NickB79]

To the point that lords could sell peasants residing on their lands and under their protection to neighboring kingdoms, and have them killed if they didn't produce enough from their fields every year to pay their taxes. The degree of freedom given to the peasants was only fractionally more than that given to most African slaves in the US through the 1800's.