Definition of churls:
(n) :
(by extension) (derogatory) A rough, surly, ill-bred person; a boor.
(n) :
A free peasant (as opposed to a serf) of the lowest rank, below an earl and a thane; a freeman; also (more generally), a person without royal or noble status; a commoner.
(n) :
A bondman or serf.
(n) :
(by extension) (archaic) A person who is stingy, especially with money; a selfish miser, a niggard.
(n) :
(by extension) (archaic) A countryman, a peasant, a rustic.
(n) :
(by extension) (Theodism) A freedman, ranked below a thane but above a thrall.