Manorialism in The Middle Ages

📚 MANORIAL SYSTEM

⭐ Definition

  • Manorialism = the economic + social system of the Middle Ages.

  • It organized how farming, land, and labor worked on a manor.

  • Each manor was owned by a lord, and peasants/serfs worked the land.

  • Serfs got protection + a place to live in return for their labor.

👑 Roles in the System

LORD

  • Owned the manor.

  • Provided protection.

  • Managed the land.

  • Often a military leader.

SERFS/PEASANTS

  • Worked the land (farming, labor).

  • Could not leave the manor without permission.

  • Gave crops/services to the lord in exchange for protection.

🌾 KEY FEATURES OF MANORIALISM

1. Three-Field System

A crop-rotation method to keep soil fertile.

  • Field 1 – Winter crops (wheat, rye)

  • Field 2 – Spring crops (peas, beans)

  • Field 3 – Left fallow (empty) to rest

  • Helped produce more food and maintain soil nutrients.

2. Mill

  • Used to grind grain into flour.

  • Usually placed near rivers/streams for waterpower.

  • Waterwheel turned heavy stones that crushed the grain.

3. Manor House

  • Home of the lord + his family.

  • Often large, impressive, and showed the lord’s power.

  • Bigger manors offered better defence during attacks.

4. Church

  • Central part of medieval life.

  • Everyone (lords + serfs) was Christian.

  • People paid tithes (10% income) to the church → made it rich + influential.

🎯 Purpose of the System

  • Ensure food production.

  • Maintain social order.

  • Provide economic stability.

  • Protect people living on the land.