The main feature of the rural economy in medieval Europe was its agrarian character, with agriculture forming the foundation of economic life. The majority of the population lived in villages and depended on farming, animal husbandry, and related activities for their livelihood. Land was the primary source of wealth and social power, and control over agricultural land determined the position of different groups within medieval society. The manorial system was the most important institution of the rural economy. Under this system, large estates called manors were controlled by lords, while peasants, especially serfs, worked on the land. The manor usually consisted of the lord’s demesne, which was cultivated for the benefit of the lord, and the holdings of peasants who cultivated small plots for their own needs. In return for using the land, peasants provided labour services, rent, and a portion of their agricultural produce to the lord. Agricultural production was mainly based on subsistence