In feudal society, serfs played a critical role as peasants bound to the land and under the authority of a lord. Unlike slaves, serfs could not be bought or sold; however, they were not free and were obligated to work on their lord's estate. In exchange for protection and the right to work their plots of land, serfs provided labor, goods, and services to their lords. This arrangement formed the basis of the feudal system, which structured medieval life and economy in Europe. The life of a serf was typically characterized by hard work, limited rights, and little opportunity for social mobility.