Final answer:
Work life on a manor was agriculturally based with limited social mobility, while city life offered diverse trades, greater freedoms, and social mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The work life of those living on a manor during the medieval period was largely agricultural and tied to the land. Serfs and peasants worked on the lands owned by a lord and were bound to his estate, providing a portion of their harvest in exchange for protection and the right to live on the manor. This system is often associated with the term feudalism. In contrast, the work life of people living in a town or city was more diverse. Tradesmen and merchants were common, and craftsmen belonged to guilds that regulated trade and ensured quality, while offering a form of economic and social security. Urban workers had the opportunity to become more affluent and enjoy more freedoms, such as the ability to move or change occupations, compared to their rural counterparts.
Comparing these two lifestyles highlights significant differences. Manor life was predictable, tied to the seasons and the demands of the lord, with limited social mobility. City life, however, involved dynamic economic activities, was driven by trade and commerce, and allowed for greater social mobility. Political, economic, social, and environmental changes were more evident and rapid in urban areas, as towns and cities were often centers of innovation and cultural exchange.