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Serfs

Peasants who were not free to move from place to place. Serfs were attached to the land in which they were born and were expected to work for their manor. Serfdom was determined by birth.

Free Peasants

Peasants who were free of the restrictions and liabilities of serfs. Free peasants could emigrate, work, marry without asking for the manorial lord’s permission, and take grievances to the king’s court.

Bailiff

The chief administrative officer of a manor. Usually a minor member of the English gentry or a prosperous peasant, the bailiff was a literate man who represented the manor to the peasants, kept track of payments coming into the manor, and supervised the other officials of the manorial court.

Reeve

A manorial officer. The reeve managed the day-to-day business of the manor, usually on a part-time basis.

Hayward

A manorial officer. Hayward kept track of what happened in the manor’s fields and flocks, and often reported infractions of the law.

Afeeror

A manorial officer who determined the amount of money to be paid for each reported action or offense. Afeerors generally would make the penalty in accordance with the person’s means.

Jurors

A constantly changing assortment of peasants who were in charge of reporting wrongdoing and judging cases that were brought to court. Unlike modern jurors, medieval jurors were expected to be informed, knowledgeable, and opinionated.

Aletasters

Manorial officers who regulated the selling and tasting of ale and sometimes bread.

Brewsters

Women who were responsible for brewing ale. Brewing was an exclusively female activity.

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