Why did manorilism develop in postclassical western Europe?

Answer 1

Manorialism developed in postclassical Western Europe primarily as a response to the socioeconomic instability following the fall of the Roman Empire. With the decline of centralized authority, local lords sought to establish self-sufficient estates, or manors, to secure agricultural production and protect their lands from invasions. This system created a reciprocal relationship between lords and peasants, where peasants provided labor and goods in exchange for protection and land to cultivate. The resulting structure helped stabilize rural economies during a time of fragmentation and chaos.