A feudal fieldhand, also known as a SERF (4 letters) or an ESNE (4 letters), was a peasant in the Middle Ages who worked on the land of a lord or noble. They were bound to the land and could not leave without permission. Serfs were required to work the land, pay taxes, and provide services to their lord in exchange for protection and the use of land and resources. Esnes were similar to serfs, but they were free to move from one estate to another and were paid wages for their labor.