Not every person in the medieval ages was a serf, like Frisia or even parts of northern germany & Tyrol/alpine peoples didnt have feudalism and were run by local villagers. Without having to mention russia and the whole obshchina spiel. It was a harsh and cruel world, yes. But not the grimdark victorian miseryfeast that people (especially liberals due to the whole “great chain of progress” narrative) believe.
Not every person in the medieval ages was a serf, like Frisia or even parts of northern germany & Tyrol/alpine peoples didnt have feudalism and were run by local villagers. Without having to mention russia and the whole obshchina spiel. It was a harsh and cruel world, yes. But not the grimdark victorian miseryfeast that people (especially liberals due to the whole “great chain of progress” narrative) believe.