The nobility, though a small fraction of the total population, influenced all aspects of medieval culture. Nobles generally paid few taxes, and they had power over the people living on their lands. They maintained order, resolved disputes, and protected their dependents from attacks. They appointed officials who oversaw agricultural production. The liberty and privileges of the noble were inheritable, perpetuated by blood and not by wealth alone.

The nobles’ primary obligation was warfare, just as it was for nobles among the Mexica (see “The Mexica” in Chapter 11) and samurai in Japan (see "Military Rule" in Chapter 13). Nobles were also obliged to attend the lord’s court on important occasions.

Originally, most knights focused solely on military skills, but around 1200 a different ideal of knighthood emerged, usually termed chivalry. Chivalry was a code of conduct in which fighting to defend the Christian faith and protecting one’s countrymen was declared to have a sacred purpose. Other qualities gradually became part of chivalry: bravery, generosity, honor, graciousness, mercy, and eventually gallantry toward women, which came to be called “courtly love.”

Noblewomen played a large and important role in the functioning of the estate. They were responsible for managing the household’s “inner economy” — cooking, brewing, spinning, weaving, and caring for yard animals. When the lord was away for long periods, his wife became the sole manager of the family properties. Often the responsibilities of the estate fell permanently to her if she became a widow.