The agent that managed a Lord's estate was the Steward. The Steward was responsible for caring for the estate in the Lord's absence as well as all domestic duties.
They managed their estates, fought in wars and skirmishes, engaged in politics, and raised their families.
Generally they managed their estates and collected revenue from their tenants. Some of the more powerful spent time in court (the royal palace).In terms of relaxation, they hunted. Many estates had areas dedicated to the lords hunt where commoners were banned (you could be executed for hunting there without the lords consent). The hunt was also a form of military training, you could practice your horsemanship.
Local lords were often referred to as "vassals" in the feudal system, as they held land granted by a higher-ranking lord in exchange for military service and loyalty. In some regions, they were also called "barons" or "nobles," depending on their rank and the specific historical context. These lords managed their estates and had authority over the peasants and serfs living on their land.
add land to their estates
Lords held significant power and owned large estates, while serfs worked the land and were bound to it, providing labor in exchange for protection and a place to live. Lords managed the governance of their domains, enforced laws, and collected taxes, whereas serfs had limited rights and were primarily focused on agricultural work. Additionally, lords could participate in the feudal system's political and military obligations, whereas serfs were generally excluded from these roles.
In the Dutch context, landowners were commonly referred to as "heren" or "heer," which translates to "lords" in English. They typically held large estates and were part of the aristocracy or gentry, often involved in agriculture, trade, or politics. Additionally, during the colonial period, they were sometimes called "plantation owners" if they managed estates in overseas territories.
Yoritomo Minamoto in the 1100s
The lords promised to give their vassals protection and fiefs, or estates.
In medieval times, lords and ladies held significant social and political power, overseeing large estates and managing the land and its inhabitants. Lords were responsible for maintaining order, administering justice, and providing protection to their vassals and serfs. Ladies often managed the household, overseeing domestic affairs, and could also wield influence in political matters, particularly through marriage alliances. Their roles were essential in maintaining the feudal system and ensuring the stability of their territories.
To control his men in battle and to help manage his estates at home. These men needed to be loyal to him, especially in battle.
Usually, lords lived in manor houses, which were mansions on the manorial estates. In times of upheaval, they lived in castles, if they had them. There were some lords who lived in towns or cities, where they would have occupied some of the better homes.
Normally, a lord could leave his estate any time he wished. In fact, the estates of barons were distributed in many different places, and a baron had to travel quite a lot to get from one part to the next.