Serfdom in Poland became the dominant form of relationship between peasants and nobility in the 17th century , and was a major feature of the economy of the Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth .
Serfdom 's origins can be traced back to the 12th century .
Serfdom in Poland became the dominant form of relationship between peasants and nobility in the 17th century , and was a major feature of the economy of the Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth , although its origins can be traced back to the 12th century .