- Manors were primarily agricultural settlements, and their main economic activity was farming.
- Each manor had a demesne, the portion of land directly managed by the lord or his steward.
- The demesne was cultivated using a two or three-field crop rotation system, ensuring a steady supply of crops.
- Manor also included areas for grazing animals and growing vegetables and herbs.
- By producing much of their food, manors reduced the need to rely on external sources and could sustain themselves fairly independently.
2. Livestock
- Manors kept various livestock, including cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry.
- These animals provided meat, milk, eggs, wool, and other resources for the manor's inhabitants.
- Livestock manure was also essential for fertilizing fields, maintaining soil fertility, and enhancing crop yields.
3. Crafts and Trades
- Many manors had their own workshops and craftsmen.
- These skilled artisans produced a variety of goods, such as clothing, tools, furniture, pottery, and weapons.
- This reduced the need for the manor to procure these items from outside sources and further contributed to its self-sufficiency.
4. Mills
- Many manors had mills, which were essential for grinding grain into flour.
- Controlling the milling process ensured a reliable and consistent supply of flour for bread and other food items within the manor, eliminating the need to rely on external sources.
5. Local Resources
- Manors often utilized the natural resources available on their lands.
- For instance, they might have forests providing timber, rivers for fishing, or quarries for building materials.
- Access to these local resources made manors less dependent on trade or transport from distant locations.
6. Barter and Trade
- While manors strived for self-sufficiency, they did not operate entirely in isolation.
- They engaged in barter and trade with neighboring manors or markets to acquire goods that were not readily available on their lands.
- However, these exchanges were often limited and focused on essential items, maintaining the manor's general economic independence.
In conclusion, medieval manors achieved near self-sufficiency through their agricultural practices, livestock management, artisanal crafts, mills, local resources, and carefully managed trade. This allowed them to produce most of the necessities for their inhabitants, reducing reliance on external markets and outside sources of goods and services.