The large rural estates of medieval times were divided into three categories of land. The first – which included most of the arable land – was the so-called manso manorial, where everything that was produced belonged to the feudal lord, the owner of the farm. Serfs worked on all the lands, but they could only earn their livelihood from the tiny plots that formed the second category of land, the meek servile. Finally, the woods, forests and swamps were collective – or almost so: the larger animals could only be hunted by the lords. Although we usually call this type of property a manor, experts warn that this is not the most accurate term. “The word ‘fief’, used for the first time in the 9th century, designated any asset given in exchange for something else”, says historian Yone de Carvalho, from PUC in São Paulo. Therefore, in the Middle Ages, feuds were all goods and tributes exchanged between nobles – including properties, which were better known as landlords. This exchange system regulated all relations between medieval nobles. For example, a nobleman gained the title of lord when he gave a piece of his land to another nobleman, called a vassal. This vassal, in turn, could charge a kind of rent on his mill, becoming lord as well. In short, the owner of a “fief” – or rather, landlord – obeyed his lord, but he also had his vassals. To make things easier, the “manor” we pictured on the side is as simple as possible, with just one owner and his servants.
At the bookshop:
Feudalism – Paulo Miceli, Atual, 1994
GOD IS FAITHFUL
Although the manor house usually had its own chapel, a small church was built in the immediate vicinity of the village. A part of the plantations, known as “God’s acre”, was donated to the Church by the feudal lord. Servants dedicated part of their time to cultivating these lands, in addition to passing on a tenth of their earnings to the parish.
EXTERNAL KITCHEN
Generally, the oven was built outside the castle, to avoid fires. It was a large facility, made of stone and brick, where huge iron skewers allowed even an entire ox to be roasted. Next to it there could be presses to produce wine, oil or flour. Serfs paid a fee to use these facilities.
AGRICULTURAL CAROUSEL
The plantations followed a system of rotation. The arable fields were divided into three parts, but, in order not to deplete the soil, only two were cultivated at the same time. After the harvest, another part rested and, thus, the cultivation was maintained throughout the whole year. Serfs spent more than half the week working on the lord’s or church’s land. The rest of the time they grew their own plots.
ENCHANTED FLOREST
In addition to providing wood for firewood and buildings, the forest was used for hunting. At first, this was a common area, although larger animals could only be slaughtered by the feudal lord. The servants were left with rabbits and squirrels. The harvest of wild fruits, chestnuts and honey was free, but many avoided entering the woods, fearing the attack of witches and evil figures.
LIFE IN SOCIETY
Located close to crops and a source of water (river or lake), the village gathered from 10 to 60 families. The hovels had only one room, without chimneys or windows. The walls were made of clay reinforced with straw and the roof was made of thatch. Nearby, small vegetable gardens provided fruit and vegetables. The fauna included chickens, as well as stray cats and dogs.
LAR, RICH LAR
In the form of a castle or simply a stone mansion, the manor house housed the feudal lord, his family, his employees and those in charge of managing the property. In times of conflict, it also served as a barracks for its troops. The most wealthy lords had several houses scattered throughout their lands – some even had hundreds of them
REI DO GADO
As important as the arable lands were the meadows, where the herds of cattle and sheep grazed, as well as pack animals and plows. These areas might be in common use, but the feudal lord’s horses and herds were cared for by serfs. As hay was not produced, many herds were decimated during the most rigorous winters.
I DRINK YES
Ponds and dammed streams were the landlord’s sources of water, but fear of contamination led many to drink a type of beer of the time. Sounds like drunk justification, but it’s not. First, because the beer was bad and low in alcohol. Second, because it was even safer than drinking medieval water…