Manorialism was once placed at the head of a three branch system, its constituent arms being that of the Village, Manor, and Parish. The Village would be home to both freemen and peasants who resided there. Farming sections of land within commonly shared fields and pasture on behalf of the lord. These Villagers as they became known to be eventually would begin various cottage industries to support the locality and themselves as a part of their work in the manor. The Manor could refer to both the manor house proper, where the lord had his residence, and to the whole of his lands encompassing the fields, woods, and common areas around the village. Futher, the parish church and its supporting lands were under the protection and patronage of its local lord and manor. Deriving incomes in the form of rents, crops, and livestock which would be used for its tithe and to pay taxes to the crown.

     Manorialism experienced a variety of  changes in the almost 700 years where manors were the foundation and building block of the realm. For more on this history please see the timeline below as well as the suggested readings.