Final answer:
Medieval peasants were centrally involved in both feudalism and manorialism. Under manorialism, they worked the land and paid rent to lords, while in the feudal system, they owed labor and military service in exchange for protection and sustenance. Over time, these systems broke down and were replaced by the economic shifts of the Industrial Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Middle Ages in Europe, peasants were a fundamental part of both feudalism and manorialism. As peasants, they lived largely in rural areas within manors or villages. Under manorialism, they were subject to noble overlords to whom they owed rents and labor. This system ensured that peasants worked the land that belonged to the lords, providing food and other agricultural products. The peasants' work supported the manor's self-sufficiency and, in turn, they were given protection and a place to live.
In the context of feudalism, a political and social system, peasants, often referred to as serfs, were the lowest tier in the hierarchical structure. They were tied to the land owned by lords, who were vassals to higher nobles or the king. Lords granted protection and the right to work on the land in exchange for military service and other duties. This relationship was defined by land ownership and the exchange of service for protection and sustenance.
Feudalism and manorialism shaped the lives of medieval peasants, who made up the majority of the population. These systems established the economic, social, and political foundations of Middle Age European societies, leading to a rural, subsistence-based economy focused on agriculture. Over time, societal and economic shifts, such as the Black Death and the Industrial Revolution, weakened the feudal system and eventually led to its replacement by modern economic systems.