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. / A bondman or serf.

plural of churl

Of or pertaining to a serf, peasant, or rustic. / Rude, surly, ungracious. / Stingy or grudging. / (of soil) Difficult to till, lacking pliancy; unmanageable.

In a churlish manner.

the state of being churlish

(archaic) rude; churlish; violent