Final answer:
Peasant and serf men in medieval Europe were responsible for cultivating the land and owed service to their overlords. Bound by the system of manorialism, they faced a difficult life with little freedom, although conditions improved slightly post-plague due to labor shortages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The roles and responsibilities of peasant and serf men in the feudal system were tied to the agricultural nature of society. Peasant and serf men were responsible for tilling and cultivating the land, ensuring that both their own and their lord's fields were productive. They owed their lord a certain number of days of service per year and had to adhere to various constraints, such as not being able to leave the land, marry, or undertake other work without the lord’s permission.
Serfdom was a form of agrarian servitude where serfs were fundamentally unfree, tied to their lord's estate without the right to move freely or own property. Despite their low social status, their work as farmers, artisans, and shepherds was essential for the economy. Working the fiefs under the oversight of the warriors or noble overlords, these men were engaged in planting crops like wheat, barley, and rye, and they faced hardships like crop diseases, poor weather conditions leading to starvation, and the constant risk of fire in their humble dwellings.
Life for serfs was difficult and characterized by an early death due to lack of sanitation, medicine, and constant labor. Women tended to smaller livestock and vegetable gardens, while men handled the heavier agricultural tasks. The economic system of manorialism bound them to the manor and dictated their living conditions, which improved slightly after events like the plague due to labor shortages that allowed for higher wages and better working conditions.