Name: _Shereen Mayas_ Global Tapestry
Feudal Society & Manorialism 10/14/2025
On Laborers: Conversations between a Master and Laborers (Slide 15-16)
1. What do these conversations tell us about what work was like for commoners?
These conversations led me to infer that work life for commoners was tough and required long
hours; they worked in all kinds of weather, each worker had a specific job, and had little freedom
because they feared the “lord” if they didn’t complete their job.
2. What can we learn about the medieval economy from reading these conversations?
We can learn that the economy in medieval times depended heavily on labor and agriculture, trade
was important, and there was a clear social hierarchy
Pleas from a Manorial Court (Slides 17-18)
1. What sorts of “crimes” or transgressions did people commit?
Crimes or transgressions that people committed that could be punishable were ploughing the
lord's mow wrong, getting married without the lord’s permission, letting animals stray in the lord’s
mow, usually got jail time, and property damage, lying, and hurting someone were usually fined
2. What does this text help us understand about life on manors?
Life on manors was strictly controlled by the lord; it was hard and filled with duties, but it was
also organized around community and labor.
Exploring aspects of feudalism & manorialism
Peasant life
1. What was the typical peasant life like? What work did peasants do? Were they only field
laborers?
Most peasants lived in the countryside and made up about 85% of the population. Life was very
hard and centered around farming. Peasants were not only field laborers; they ploughed, sowed,
harvested, hauled crops, and took care of animals. Work depended on the season of the year.
2. Based on Pierce the Plowman’s Crede (slide 5), what assumptions can we make about peasant
life?
Assumptions we can make about peasant life are that peasants were poor, overworked, and
physically worn down. They lived humbly, often both men and women, and sometimes children
worked in the fields.
3. Besides work, what other things did peasants do?
Besides work, peasants raised families, attended church, sometimes participated in village courts
or gatherings, or learned new skills and trades
Land & taxation
1. How did King Harfager change the way the land was owned and administered in Norway? How
does his system compare to Charlemagne’s reforms? In what ways does it reflect the
development of a feudal system?
