What is a common obligation of free peasants towards their lords?

• A. Farming their land
• B. Paying tithes to the church
• C. Serving in military campaigns
• D. Building infrastructure

Answer: (B)

Free peasants typically had an obligation to their lords that was primarily centered around farming the land. This relationship was foundational in agricultural societies where land ownership was concentrated among the nobility. Free peasants worked on the land cultivated by their lords, producing crops that would often benefit the lord directly. In contrast, while paying tithes to the church, serving in military campaigns, and building infrastructure can be part of a peasants' duties in certain contexts, the most consistent and defining obligation of free peasants was their role as agricultural laborers on the land they farmed for their lords. This relationship allowed lords to retain control over their estates and ensured a steady supply of food and resources.