Note 105 — Chapter I · THE MEDIEVAL BACKGROUND (continued 2)

See e.g. Chaucer, The Persone’s Tale, §§ 64-6. The parson expresses the orthodox view that “the condicioun of thraldom and the firste cause of thraldom is for sinne.” But he insists that serfs and lords are spiritually equal: “Thilke that thou clepest thy thralles been goddes peple; for humble folk been Cristes freendes.”