Unlike in the late Roman period, there was no sharp break between the legal status of the free peasant and the aristocrat, and it was possible for a free peasant's family to rise into the aristocracy over several generations through military service to a powerful lord.
Til forskel fra den senromerske periode, så var der ikke et skarpt skel mellem det juridiske system for frie bønder og aristokratiet, og det var muligt for frie bønder at blive en del af aristokratiet over flere generationer igennem militærtjeneste under en magtfuld herremand.