Nobles and Serfs

In the Middle Ages they had many social classes. The biggest class difference however was between the Nobles, the upper class, and serf, poor farmers. Nobles were one class down from the king and held jobs like Lords of land, officials, tax collectors and clergy men. Serfs were poor peasants that farmed their lord’s land and lived on tiny villages on that land. Serfs were tied to the land and could not leave unless they got permission from their lord. Serfs made up most of the population. Only about 1% of the people in the Middle Ages were nobles.

In the Middle Ages people were very religious. Because of this they felt like it was God’s will that they were a serf or a noble and that they must obey this will. Also serfs swore their loyalty to their lord, as did their lords to the king. In return for the serfs’ work lord would give them land to farm for themselves and in return for the lords’ work the king gave them manor on their estates where they were to live. This system worked very well for many years.