I have never been shackled by Rome. But I was once shackled by those who were shackled by Rome
"Rome" only shackled those who were religious, not those who were sincere believers. Even for the sincere believers who did not have what we have, which is open access to the Word of God, indoctrination did not nullify the sincerity of their faith in Christ. Does not Martin Luther illustrate this principle?
I think a false perception of those who were limited in their knowledge is often portrayed when we assume that they were as culpable in regards to poor and false doctrines which arose. We see the same sort of errors in every group we can name today, some who have embraced erroneous doctrines or concepts, and some who don't actually understand what their group actually taught, or teaches.
And the greatest illustration for this would be in if the Protestants were shackled, they would not have protested, lol.
God bless.