Serfs
were bound to the manor. They were not slaves. These people
could not be bought and sold. Serfs could buy their freedom, but where
would they get the money? Serfs could not leave the manor without
permission. If they did not work, they were punished. If the manor
land was sold or reassigned to a new owner, the serfs stayed with the
land. Serfs had many jobs on the manor including craftsmen, bakers,
farmers, and tax collectors - serfs did all kinds of jobs. Their job
was assigned. They had to do the job they were assigned to do.
Peasants
were free to leave if they wished, but where
would they go? War was everywhere. Peasants worked the land and made
the goods in exchange for protection. They might own their own
business or have room enough for garden of their own. Other than that,
their life was just like a serf's life. A few peasants escaped the
hard work on the farm by joining the church. But most lived and died
on the manor where they were born.
Taxes:
Everyone had to pay taxes to the lord. There was a payment due
on every service they received. To pay the crop tax, some crops went
to the lord, and some they kept. To pay the bread tax, some bread they
made went to the lord, and some they kept. To pay the coat tax, some
of the warm coats they made went to the lord, and some they kept. All
peasants had to set aside a certain number of days each year to work
on the roads or on the lord's home or on whatever else needed doing.
Everything was paid in barter. Coinage or money did not exist on the
manor.
Church
Festivals: The only time commoners had a chance
to relax and enjoy each other's company was at a church festival.
Festivals offered stage plays, which were religious in nature, along
with archery contests, wrestling, dancing, and singing. Often
there were jugglers and magicians. Festivals were held often. Payment
for the festivals was the responsible of the lord of the manor. The
lord paid for the festivals by giving the church food and clothing the
peasants had made.
Power
of the Priests: People believed that the only
way to get to Heaven was to follow the teachings in the Bible. The
common people could not read or write. The village priest read to them
from the Bible and told them how to behave. The priest told them who
they must marry and when. You had to do everything the priest said if
you wanted to get to heaven.
Feudal
Obligations: In spite of the hardships of their lives,
peasants and serfs were mostly content with their lot. For one thing,
they knew no other life. For another, they knew their work kept
everyone on the manor fed and comfortable, including themselves.
