What is the term for a lord's estate in medieval society?

The term for a lord's estate in medieval society is "manor." A manor typically included not only the lord's residence, which could be a castle or a large house, but also the surrounding land that provided resources and was used for farming. Manors were the basic unit of feudal society, where peasants or serfs would work the land in exchange for protection and a place to live.

The concept of the manor is essential to understanding the economic and social structures of medieval Europe, as it played a key role in the system of feudalism. This system was characterized by reciprocal obligations between lords and vassals, and the manor was often self-sufficient, hosting agricultural activities and trade within its community.

Other terms like "castle" refer specifically to fortified structures serving as residences and defense mechanisms but do not encompass the broader estate that includes the agricultural land and community it supports. A "keep" is a part of a castle, typically the strongest fortification within a castle complex, again not representing the full estate. Meanwhile, "plantation" refers to a large-scale farming operation that typically involves the production of cash crops using labor-intensive methods, commonly associated with later historical periods and different geographical contexts. Thus, the term "