Manorialism

Manorialism, socio-economic system of Europe in the early Middle Ages. It was a decentralized form of government that replaced the central authority of the Roman Empire and continued until the revival of commerce in the towns and cities in the later Middle Ages. Centering around a powerful lord who owned a large estate (manor), manorialism depended on peasants to work the land for the lord and themselves in exchange for protection and their homes.

See also: Middle Ages.