The Manorial System
In the Manorial System, knights or nobles who were also warriors held large estates, and had peasants working for them in return for a house and land to cultivate. The estates were called manors, and the lord would live in a large house or castle, and the peasants had small house provided for them in return for their work. The way this system came about was when the small free farmers needed providence from lords, so the lords would have the peasants work for them and they would protect and provide for them. They then became serfs. They were not slaves in the sense that they weren't worth a price, but they were bound to their lords through and oath of loyalty. One job that a serf had was to work on the lord's demesne. They also built barns and dug ditches. The serfs often had to work about 3 days per week. To pay the lords so that they could live in the manor, they would share their profit with the lord. This money covered their use of the pasture, streams, ponds, and woods. If they went fishing, they would often give the lord some of their fish. If they had a cow in the pasture, they would give the king some of the cheese that they produced. The serfs also paid a tithe to the local church. The serfs couldn't leave the land unless they were granted to by the lord. They also had to have approval to marry someone from outside the manor. The lords could also try a serf in court for small crimes. The lord could also charge serfs for mandatory use of things, such as a mill to grind their flour with.
The lords who were merely low knights would often live in their manor. The greater lords would often hire someone to run his land for him. Monasteries also had control over some manors. These monasteries were very good at keeping track of manorial records, providing vast knowledge about his system. Some manors that were large enough might contain several villages, while others might only have one.
Most of the people worked the land in the Early Middle Ages. There was very little trade at this time. Many of the coins and jewelry were stowed away, not being circulated, so many things were bartered. There was still some trade though. Many products were traded at the local markets in the manors. Many of the wealthy noblemen did not buy things domestically, but rather bought imports. Many of these trades were with the Byzantine Empire. Some of the products traded included iron, timber, furs, and slaves. These were traded by Jews who took them by boat through the European rivers, making trade stops at different locations. They also took caravans of horses to trade. Once 900 came around, there were also many Italian merchants who began to trade. Though the Manorial System was organized, it was very simple and did not have the prestige of other great civilizations.
The lords who were merely low knights would often live in their manor. The greater lords would often hire someone to run his land for him. Monasteries also had control over some manors. These monasteries were very good at keeping track of manorial records, providing vast knowledge about his system. Some manors that were large enough might contain several villages, while others might only have one.
Most of the people worked the land in the Early Middle Ages. There was very little trade at this time. Many of the coins and jewelry were stowed away, not being circulated, so many things were bartered. There was still some trade though. Many products were traded at the local markets in the manors. Many of the wealthy noblemen did not buy things domestically, but rather bought imports. Many of these trades were with the Byzantine Empire. Some of the products traded included iron, timber, furs, and slaves. These were traded by Jews who took them by boat through the European rivers, making trade stops at different locations. They also took caravans of horses to trade. Once 900 came around, there were also many Italian merchants who began to trade. Though the Manorial System was organized, it was very simple and did not have the prestige of other great civilizations.