The manorial system was a key economic structure in medieval Europe, particularly during the Middle Ages. It was based on the relationship between lords and peasants, where the lord owned a large estate called a manor. Peasants, or serfs, worked the land in exchange for protection and a place to live. They were often bound to the manor and had limited rights. Within the manor, the lord managed agricultural production and collected taxes or rents from the peasants. The system promoted self-sufficiency, as manors typically included farmland, a village, and sometimes a church. This structure helped sustain local economies during a time when trade was less developed.