invasion of France and the captivity of its king reappear in the
invasion of England by Henry IV., and the capture and dethronement
of Richard II. The prosperity of England during the reign of Edward
had passed away in that of his grandson. Very great distress
pervaded the land, and it led to efforts to get rid of villeinage.
The 1st Richard II. recites:

"That grievous complaints had been made to the Lords and Commons,
that villeins and land tenants daily withdraw into cities and
towns, and a special commission was appointed to hear the case, and
decide thereon."

The complaint was renewed, and appears in Act 9 Richard II., cap.
2:

"Whereas divers villeins and serfs, as well of the great Lords as
of other people, as well spiritual as temporal, do fly within the
cities, towns, and places entfranched. as the city of London, and
other like, and do feign divers suits against their Lords, to the
intent to make them free by the answer of the Lords, it is accorded
and assented that the Lords and others shall not be forebound of
their villeins, because of the answer of the Lords."

Serfdom or slavery may have existed previous to the ANGLO-SAXON
invasion, but I am disposed to think that the Saxon, the Jutes, and
the Angles reduced the inhabitants of the lands which they
conquered, into serfdom. The history of that period shows that men,
women, and children were constantly sold, and that there were
established markets. One at Bristol, which was frequented by Irish
buyers, was put down, owing to the remonstrance of the Bishop.