Legal Definitions - adscriptus glebae

Definition: Adscriptus glebae is a Latin term that means a tenant or serf who is tied to the land. In Roman law, these individuals were bound to the land they worked on and were considered property of the landowner. If the land was sold or transferred, the serfs were also transferred along with it. However, they were still considered free citizens in other respects.

Example: In medieval Europe, many peasants were adscriptus glebae. They were tied to the land they worked on and were not allowed to leave without the permission of their lord. They were required to work the land and pay taxes to the landowner in exchange for protection and the right to live on the land.

Explanation: The example illustrates how adscriptus glebae were bound to the land they worked on and were considered property of the landowner. They were not free to leave without permission and were required to work the land and pay taxes to the landowner. This system was common in medieval Europe and was a way for landowners to maintain control over their land and the people who worked on it.