Legal Definitions - nativus

nativus

In the past, a person who was born as a villein or serf was called a nativus. This means that they were not free and had to work for their lord without getting paid.

During the Middle Ages, many people were considered nativi because they were born into serfdom and had no way of escaping it. They were tied to the land and could not leave without their lord's permission.

In some countries, such as Russia, serfdom lasted until the 19th century, and many people were still considered nativi. They had to work for their lord and could not leave their village without permission.

These examples show how nativi were people who were born into a life of servitude and had no way of escaping it. They were not free and had to work for their lord without getting paid.