Life on earth simply wasn't fair. This philosophy could sometimes lead to a laissez-faire attitude toward social injustice, although, as in the case of good Saint Eloi, certainly not always. And Christianity did indeed have an ameliorating effect on slavery. Perhaps the world-view of the medieval mind can explain a great deal. Freedom and liberty are fundamental rights in twentieth-century western civilization.
Upward mobility is a possibility for everyone in America today.
Women could marry and become the property of their husbands instead of the property of their fathers, or they could become nuns. Occasionally, an accident of birth or an extraordinary will would help someone deviate from the course medieval society had set, but these were notable exceptions. One way or another, medieval society had a way of keeping its people in chains. The links below will take you to an online bookstore, where you will get more information about the book that can help you find it in your local library. If you choose to purchase the book online, the bookstore is solely responsible for filling your order.