I'm looking for information on how things were run on a manorial estate in the 13th century.

Anything regarding yeomanry, husbandry, and the lowly laborer would be of much interest to me. The more micro the information, the better. Personal finances?

Could anyone recommend any books on the subject? I've done a bit of searching on the good ole interwebs, but I'm not coming back with any big fish, or haven't yet, at any rate...

I'm hobbyist writer, for the moment (hobby could up and die), and would like to find information that would help me with my build.

Thanks!!

Rural economy and society in the duchy of Cornwall 1300-1500 by John Hatcher. After the period you are after but might be useful.
Medieval Trade and Finance by M M Postan.

The Medieval English Economy 1150-1500 by J L Bolton.

Thank you so very much! I'm really excited about those. I'll definitely check them out.

And for a less Anglo-centric resource:

Rural Economy and Country Life in the Medieval West
Georges Duby. Cynthia Postan, Translator

632 pages | 6 x 9
Paper 1998 | ISBN 978-0-8122-1674-5

Easy to find used, inexpensive, thorough.

If late medieval economics floats your boat, also check out the bibliographies and lecture notes of Professor John Munro at the University of Toronto. He's an expert in that field.

http://www.economics.utoronto.ca/munro5/

This bibliography in particular may help you out (or maybe not: it's thorough enough to be overwhelming).
http://www.economics.utoronto.ca/munro5/2SERFDOM2.pdf

If you just want to see some primary source documents about peasant life and running a manor, check out the following sources.

Warren O. Ault, Open-Field Farming in Medieval England: A Study of Village By-laws http://books.google.ca/books?id=NAfO1CF7zogC&...mp;f=false

Walter of Henley, Husbandry (13th c.) http://www.penultimateharn.com/history/walter.html

Seneschaucie (late 13th c.) http://www.penultimateharn.com/history/seneschaucie.html

Anonymous, Husbandry, (late 13th c.) http://www.penultimateharn.com/history/husbandry.html

This is so cool. I'd hoped for a reply or two and possibly a title of a book. You people have really pulled through for me!

Thanks, Nathan, for keeping this place going and starting it all. It has been really great to lurk for years, but asking a question is even more fun!

Does anybody know if a bailiff would be used, or required, for a landed man of some 80 acres? I'm talking the top end of commoner here... Someone who can come and go as he pleases, but lacks gentle birth. Is it within the realm of possibility, or more probable, that such a man would manage his own affairs directly? Might possibly work in the field with the laborers?
It is my understanding that such men did exist, though I could be mistaken. I know there were men owing little to no service, though rent was paid, but I believe I read, some time ago mind you, that some men did exist who owned land (13th century, England), but lacked gentle birth.

I read the links you provided, and am soon to buy Open-Field Farming in Medieval England, but I do not have any idea as to whether or not that will contain that information, and so I ask....

I recommend PM'ing Randall Moffett on this forum. He completed his PhD Thesis titled 'The Military Organization of Southampton in the Late Medieval Period, 1300-1500' in January of 2010. I'm sure he has a boat load of resources for you!