Final answer:
The medieval manor consisted of the lord's manor house or castle, serfs' homes, the church, agricultural land, and common areas. Each part served a specific role in the feudal society, with the lord providing protection and managing the manor, while the serfs worked the land and owed service to the lord.
Step-by-step explanation:
During feudal times, a medieval manor was the heart of the economy and society, serving multiple functions.
- The Lord's Manor House or Castle: This was the residence of the lord, which also served as a local administrative center, court, and sometimes as a stronghold for protection.
- Serfs' Homes: These simple homes housed the serfs, who were bound to the land and provided labor to cultivate it. Their work supported both themselves and the lord.
- The Church: Often located on the manor, it played a central role in the community's spiritual life and also held land from which it gained wealth.
- Agricultural Land: Divided into demesne, land worked by serfs for the lord, and plots serfs could cultivate for their own use.
- Common Areas: Included pastures, forests, and ponds that were shared by the inhabitants for grazing, woodcutting, and fishing, respectively.
These elements worked together to form a self-sufficient community that was economically and socially bound by the dictates of the feudal system. Serfs owed the lord service and could not freely leave the manor. The lord, in return, provided protection and adjudicated disputes. Religious institutions also played a major role in manorial life, with many lands belonging to the church.