Most of these manor houses are roughly the same, although they differ both in size and detail.
This example is a manor house of middling size, supported by approximately fourteen servants, including a cook, a steward, housemaids, kitchen girls, footmen, and stablemen, as well as their assorted children. In addition, most nobles retain several men-at-arms. The land surrounding this manor is farmed by a dozen tenants and their families.The servants who work for noble families have often been in their employ for many generations, and though it's an enormous number of people to support a relatively small nuclear family, the arrangement can be mutually beneficial provided the family is fair.
The house at left, while not as large as some, is spacious, with a fireplace in almost every room, including servants quarters, which encompass approximately one-third of the lower floor. The main hall is large and drafty, and while it's the main entrance to the house and the largest room therein, the family usually eats in the smaller, better heated dining room.
Beyond this dining space are the family rooms and garderobe (toilet), which are private for family and sometimes carpeted. Completely separate from the main rooms are the guardhouse, armoury, and guest house, which is an all-purpose set of sleeping rooms and can include, in wealthier houses (including this one), a second garderobe.
Upstairs are family bedrooms. Off the landing is the lord and lady's room, separate from their children's (which could house anywhere from three to thirteen, depending on how many offspring live at home with them), which are accessed across the covered balcony. This balcony overlooks the courtyard, which doubles as a modest vegetable and herb garden and also contains the well and fruit trees. The beehives attached to this particular house are an oddity, and fill a space that in other homes would probably be an archery range.
The stables can comfortably house a dozen horses, with plenty of storage space above them; these spaces often fill up with years of family heirlooms, worn-out equipment, and other miscellaneous items - the equivalent of the old family attic or garage.
Note the number of glass windows in this house - eight. Glass windows are often unnecessary in this area of Meron, which is temperate and rarely gets extremely cold or hot, but they're a measure of status. All face in on the courtyard - while privacy among the family isn't consider a priority, Meron people are uncomfortable with the idea of strangers seeing them about their business. This is part of the reason for prevalence of courtyard-structure houses in central and southern Meron - anyone who can afford them has them.
In terms of defense, these manor houses are not castles; they aren't equipped to withstand a siege. Many aren't inhabited year round, but are used as summer retreats for southern nobles fleeing the humidity of their usual homes.
Many thanks to Kadis and Emelin Eveltaren and their children, who graciously have allowed their home to be used as an example, and who have provided information on their household and lands for the sake of posterity. Tababel, my mazhdeyo a belo!
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