Medieval Manor Simulation – Create Your Own Manor

Introduction: Your goal is to construct a desirable manor so that you may grant it as a fief to attract an important vassal to swear allegiance to you. Once granted, you will then determine how profitable the manor was for this new vassal.

General Directions:  35,000 gold pieces in start money to cover all costs for the manor 1. You must come as close to this sum as possible without going over-budget.

 You must include the following in your manor: 1. A manor house 2. At least two types of land 3. At least two trades

Part I:  Scan your Medieval Manor Improvement Description WS to determine the improvements you desire and to calculate their costs o Use a scrap note sheet to budget your purchases

Part II:  On the Manor Income Spreadsheet WS record your improvements, their number, and their costs.

Part III:  Consult the Determiner of Manor Profits & Losses WS. For each identified improvement roll the dice. Your roll will determine whether or not you have made a profit for the year off of that improvement.

 Record this information on the Manor Income Spreadsheet WS along with the value of your profit or loss and the corresponding total.

 Certain improvements (serfs, their dwellings, manor house, and others) will not provide you with a profit. In those cases, record profit as none.

Part IV:  Create a map of your manor on a blank piece of paper. Use the sample on the back of this page as your guide.

 Each improvement (structure and terrain) found within your manor needs to be located and labeled on the map. o If you budgeted for 6 serf dwelling houses then there should be 6 on the map. o A key should be provided. Questions for Analysis

1. Manor House: a. What type of manor house did you choose for your manor? Briefly explain your decision. b. What was a pro and con of the type of house you chose?

2. Church: a. Explain why you either chose to build a church or not. b. Why might the inclusion of a church be important to the running of the manor?

3. Water: a. Why would flowing or standing water be important to the value of the manor?

4. Terrain Improvements (farm, forest, pasture, orchard): a. How many acres of each did you include? What was the total of all together? b. Did you leave out any? If so, why?

5. Trades: a. What benefits for your manor will the trades that you included provide? b. Which trade do you feel is the least important for the running of your manor. Explain your decision. c. Identify 3 trades and explain how your manor might be negatively affected if they were absent.

6. Serfs: a. How many total serfs are working your manor? b. Provide a breakdown of the serfs working the land and as tradesmen. c. Could your manor function without serfs? Why or why not?