Feudal peons (5)
I believe the answer is:
serfs
'feudal peons' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for serfs that I've seen before include "Farm labourers of Middle Ages" , "They were owned by the feudal lord in the Middle Ages" , "They were bound to work" , "Those made to work" , "Agricultural labourers tied to estate" .)