Final answer:
Feudalism and manorialism were two systems that played a significant role in the medieval European economy. They were influenced by physical geography, with manors located in areas with fertile land and towns developing along trade routes. Manorialism organized peasants into villages, while the growth of towns provided opportunities for trade and commerce.
Step-by-step explanation:
Feudalism and manorialism were two systems that played a significant role in the medieval European economy. Feudalism was a political structure in which knights and lower-status nobles owed military service to their overlords in exchange for the right to rent from lands and manors. Manorialism, on the other hand, organized peasants into villages that owed rent and labor services to the nobles. These systems were influenced by physical geography, specifically the role of the manor and the growth of towns.
Under manorialism, peasants lived in villages and owed their lord a set number of days of service per year. They worked both their own land and their lord's land, sharing resources and labor. This system facilitated the cooperative production of crops and goods. In contrast, the growth of towns provided opportunities for trade and commerce, allowing the merchant class to acquire wealth and power.
Physical geography, such as the availability of fertile land, access to waterways, and proximity to trade routes, played a crucial role in shaping the development of manorialism and the growth of towns. Manors were often located in areas with rich agricultural land and access to water sources, which supported agricultural production. Towns, on the other hand, often developed along trade routes or near ports, allowing for the exchange of goods and the growth of commercial activities.