The largest class of the population were villani. (Those born to servile status were also called nativi.) About four in ten people were villani tied to the land. They did not own the land but farmed their own holdings (about 45 per cent of all English land,) which they were allowed to occupy in exchange for labor services on the landowner's demesne.
The exact services required from villani varied in accordance with local customs and agreements. A common arrangement was three days work each week (more in harvest time). During the 12th Century the villani were keen to have their labor services commuted to money rents, but labor services remained widespread.