A manor is a large estate that was historically owned by a noble or wealthy family. It typically included a main house, known as the manor house, and surrounding lands used for farming and other activities. Manors were common in medieval Europe, particularly in the feudal system, where they served as the center of local administration and agriculture. The manor system involved a hierarchy of relationships between the lord of the manor and the peasants or serfs who worked the land. In exchange for protection and the right to work the land, the peasants would pay rent or provide labor. This system played a significant role in shaping rural life during the Middle Ages.