Titles, positions, trades and classes
Nobles:
European nobility originated in the feudal system that arose in Europe during the Middle Ages. Originally, knights or nobles were mounted warriors who swore allegiance to their sovereign and promised to fight for him in exchange for an allocation of land (usually together with serfs living thereon).
Medieval society was defined by structures and everything was predetermined even before birth. People in the Middle Ages remained in the class they were born and raised in. Out of the need to preserve Noble bloodlines and maintain the wealth and social standing of elite families, however, a set of strict succession and inheritance rules were imposed on and governed Medieval Nobility. Though Nobles stood at the top of the feudal class system, just below the king and his royal vassals, there was hierarchy even within their own class.
Peasants
A peasant is a member of a traditional class of farmers, either laborers or owners of small farms, especially in the Middle Ages under feudalism, or more generally, in any pre-industrial society. In Europe, peasants were divided into three classes according to their personal status: slave, serf, and freeman.
https://sites.google.com/site/history8j/medieval-england
Nobles:
European nobility originated in the feudal system that arose in Europe during the Middle Ages. Originally, knights or nobles were mounted warriors who swore allegiance to their sovereign and promised to fight for him in exchange for an allocation of land (usually together with serfs living thereon).
Medieval society was defined by structures and everything was predetermined even before birth. People in the Middle Ages remained in the class they were born and raised in. Out of the need to preserve Noble bloodlines and maintain the wealth and social standing of elite families, however, a set of strict succession and inheritance rules were imposed on and governed Medieval Nobility. Though Nobles stood at the top of the feudal class system, just below the king and his royal vassals, there was hierarchy even within their own class.
Peasants
A peasant is a member of a traditional class of farmers, either laborers or owners of small farms, especially in the Middle Ages under feudalism, or more generally, in any pre-industrial society. In Europe, peasants were divided into three classes according to their personal status: slave, serf, and freeman.
Medieval Slaves
Slaves were the most disadvantaged population. They were treated as properties of the nobility they served and were frequently bought or sold like common goods. They worked hard for their masters, who owned not only the land under their feet but also the fruits of their labour. Slaves and serfs could not marry as they please. Marriage would only be valid if the landlord gave his approval.
Medieval Serfs
Serfs were common people. Though not as badly treated as slaves, they likewise did not enjoy a sufficient amount of freedom. Moreover, they needed the permission of their lord to be able to travel from one place to another. If in more than a year they managed to escape without getting caught, serfs could eventually become freemen. Small business owners may fall under this category.
Medieval Freemen
As the name itself would imply, a freeman was also a kind of peasant. What set him apart from slaves and serfs was that he had no master and was free to live his life. Freemen were not beholden to a lord or worked in his manor. In effect, they were free to enter and exit lands whenever they wanted to.
https://sites.google.com/site/history8j/medieval-england
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