Serfdom
Serfs could also gain their freedom in other ways.  Sometimes they could buy their freedom.  Enlightened or generous owners could free a serf (this is called manumission).  Some serfs were able to flee to other towns or to newly settled land where people would not ask questions about the serf’s past.  Laws varied from country to country.  In England, a serf became free if he made his way to a chartered town and avoided being recaptured for a year and a day.