Eric wasn't surprised. He knew that woman was hiding something.
The Lord of Chippenham continued, "The very way I've described the status of this Knight's heir shows my respect for his father. According to established custom, serf status is inherited from the mother. If the mother is a serf, then regardless of whether the father is a freeman or something else, the child is still considered a serf.
John Giffard was an excellent Knight, but he made a grave error when it came to marriage. He insisted on marrying a Saxon serf. To that end, he even fabricated a false identity for her, having a merchant adopt her so that others would believe she was a freewoman.
I have pursued them all the way here precisely to prevent my Lord from being deceived by such people." Chippenham bowed to Eric once more.
"I am not a serf! I'm a freewoman!" the woman retorted.
