What Is a Manor System in Medieval Times?
The medieval manor system involved the king leasing property to a nobleman, who then allowed peasants and serfs to farm the land. The manor system is closely related to the feudal system, but where feudalism was a system of military protection, manorialism was a social system that was just as hierarchical.
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History
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The manor system existed from the fifth to the 15th centuries A.D., following the collapse of the Roman Empire, when farmers turned to the nobles for protection from barbarians.
Features
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The nobles let serfs farm the land in exchange for a percentage of the food they grew. While the noblemen lived in castles or large houses, the peasants lived in one-room buildings with their animals.
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Significance
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Modern horticulture grew out of the manor system, as villages had to be self-sufficient. They maintained gardens for fruits and vegetables, fields for grain and the grazing of livestock, and forests to hunt wild game.
Fun Fact
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The phrase "To the manor born" means to be born rich, and directly relates to this period. It is frequently an insult aimed at someone acting like the spoiled child of a lord and lady.
Conclusion
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The manor system collapsed during the Renaissance as Europe became more civilized, currency replaced the barter system and peasants moved to the cities to find work.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Lincolnian (Brian): flickr, access.denied: flickr
