At the base of the feudal structure were the peasants, the majority of whom were serfs. Some peasants were known as freemen; they were able to pay the lord for the use of his land and could leave the manor at any time. Lords had the right to force free men to leave if a problem arose. Serfs were peasants who were basically prisoners on the land on which they worked. Most serfs lived in a small, one-room cottages built of stone, sticks and mud with a roof of straw. The diet of the peasants and serfs generally consisted of porridge, cheese, black bread, and any home grown vegetable they harvested. Serfs were not allowed to leave the land, own property, or marry without the lord's permission. However, lords were not permitted to force a serf off the land. Serfs were not required to provide military service; the lord had to protect them as part of his manor. Serfs and peasants worked very hard and had little hope of improving their lives.