I was wondering, how does a new manor come into existance where do the serfs come from?

I would think that the new manor is created by a greater noble (baron and up) who would probably have one of his retainers act as a bailiff and provide military protection, funds and probably a couple of serf families. The serfs are likely to be second or third sons of peasants who have no chance to inherit their father's land and cottage and who might be eager to get a household on their own.

A knight in my campaign was granted land in a wilderness area and bought a bunch of serfs out of service to their current lords (in better populated areas) after contracting them to work on his land. He also accepted service from several Jarin wandering south (escapees from Orbaal).

Freeman can elect to take up service with whomever they wish and may be drawn in from other areas by expectations of higher pay, better treatment, lower rents or whatever.

Escaped serfs from other areas may also attempt to find service in areas with a lord rumored to be more fair and honorable but are likely to claim they were freemen rather then escaped serfs.

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Member of the CoE (Council of Elitists)

In one campaign in which I am playing the fiefholder, from Kanday, went to Tharda, where chattel slavery is legal, and bought some people whom he brought home with him and manumitted. He then offered them an opportunity to find something useful to do on his manor or take off. Not too generous as he didn't offer to stake them if they wanted to be on their way. Still, as freedmen they can work to build up a stake and take off when they think they're ready, if that is what they want by that time.

The fiefholder in this case inherited a manor that had been largely de-populated and run down and was in desperate need of hands. Not just skilled hands, literally any hands. Because the people in question were war captives from a tribal war in north Rethem who had been sold on and were rather sullen about it he was able to buy them at a steal. It didn't hurt that they were Kuboran and would have a long way to run to get home after he freed them near Dunir. The fact that some of the group were families also made him willing to try this, rather desperate, expedient in this case. So far, it hasn't worked out too badly.

Wm

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