In the Middle Ages, roles in society were based on gender and social class. Social classes were inherited and structured around the feudal system. The rank of the feudal system for both men and women, from lowest to highest, was that of peasants, citizens and nobles. Furthermore, men and women could also choose to be a bishop, priest, monk or nun. Men and women in the lower ranks of society typically had different responsibilities and authorities. However, in the higher classes of society, men and women had similar responsibilities and authority. Farmers had to work most hours to ensure they could maintain a home and have food. Most of the peasants were farmers. They had to rent their land, in a town within the lord's manor, paying taxes to both their lord and the king. While there were free peasants, most peasants were serfs. Serfs were seen as property. When the land they worked on was sold, they would belong to the same land lord. They could not marry or leave without the lord's permission. Serfs worked on their lord's land and had to pay for its use. These payments were typically labor and product donations to the lord. The work typically consisted of plowing and harvesting, especially during busy agricultural seasons. Farmers ate the crops they grew, including corn, beans, and wheat. Some farmers were wealthier than others and had small vegetable gardens as well as cows and goats. When the weather was too wet or too dry, many farmers died because the land did not produce enough crops to feed them. Farmers' houses were typically made of thatched roofs, dirt floors, and had two rooms. Marriage was arranged by parents and most farmers married other farmers from the same community. Even inside the...... middle of the paper ......d. They were trained at night, but if they were not good at this they were often sent to become monks in the monastery. Noble men were responsible for overseeing lord-vassal relations, as well as defending the king in war. They moved away from their homes very often, for long periods of time. “Some abandoned their homes, others their possessions” (El Cid, page 11). “Worthy vassals, they obeyed heartily, willingly carrying out any command of their lord.” (El Cid, page 14). Whether they were farmers, citizens or nobles, men and women all had daily responsibilities to carry out in the Middle Ages. Gender and social class often dictated different roles as well as authority, if any. The Cid's epic highlights many of the relationships between lord and vassal, as well as the gender roles of men and women in similar and different social ranks..