A feudal farmer was a person in the Middle Ages who worked on land owned by a lord or monarch. They were typically vassals, meaning they had to swear loyalty to their lord and provide military service in exchange for the use of the land. Peasants were the lowest class of feudal farmers, and were required to pay taxes and labor services to their lord. Serfs were similar to peasants, but were bound to the land and could not leave without permission. Yeomen were higher-ranking than peasants and serfs, and were free men who owned their own land and paid taxes to their lord.