Comparing the Plight of Serfs

Serf: In return for a serf's hard work in farming the lord's land, the lord promised the serf protection. This protection was supposed to come from the lord and his knights. In time of war the serfs and their livestock were to retreat inside the walls of the lord's castle. Often, however, this protection was not provided, and serfs were constantly in danger from bands of vicious thieves who roamed the countryside. During hard times, some knights even joined these marauding bands. If a serf had a complaint, the lord's chief official, the steward, organized a trial, where disputes were settled according to the customs of the manor. The quality of justice varied greatly from one manor to the next on some manors a serf caught stealing or beating the lord's favorite horse might be killed without ever appearing in court. Homeless: On the streets, most homeless must defend themselves from violence and harassment. Because so many homeless live on city streets and are out at all hours, protection is a major concern. Homeless are victims of muggings, beatings, rape, and homicide. Sometimes the police are helpful, but often they have difficulty helping the homeless. Homeless people are sometimes hesitant to call the police, for they may have been accused of a crime themselves. Police may respond more slowly to a person without a phone or a home. Legal Aid Societies offer free legal advice and lawyers donate their time to help the homeless. Many homeless people are mentally ill, and are unable to care for themselves. Often, these people are considered dangerous and mistakenly jailed.

Which individual - a medieval serf or a homeless person today - do you think has a better situation regarding personal safety?