Chapter 73: Manor Meeting (Part 1)

(Chapter Three Transition Chapter; feel free to skip this one if it's not to your liking.)

...

Russell abolished the original kneeling ceremony.

Instead, serfs had to bow when seeing the Lord for the first time each day, and only needed to give a nod of acknowledgement in subsequent encounters.

Even so, the sight of the crowd, all bowing en masse, still shook Russell to his core.

"This is the authority of a feudal lord, this is the glory of the nobility under serfdom, even though I am but the lowest tier of lordship," Russell reflected, moved by the serfs' bowing as he arrived at the small market.

The manor meeting would be held here.

The small market had been cleaned once, spotless, except for a faint smell of manure, with nothing else to complain about.

Tables and chairs had all been set up.

The serfs were forbidden to enter, so they gathered outside the market, waiting for the meeting that was about to take place inside.