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