The rest of the demesne land was in the form of strips dispersed through the manor . In addition , the lord might lease free tenements belonging to neighbouring manors , as well as holding other manors some distance away to provide a greater range of produce . As with peasant plots , the demesne was not a single territorial unit , but consisted rather of a central house with neighbouring land and estate buildings , plus strips dispersed through the manor alongside free and villein ones : in addition , the lord might lease free tenements belonging to neighbouring manors , as well as holding other manors some distance away to provide a greater range of produce .