At the end of the 8th century, Charlemagne brought about significant changes. He introduced Christianity and manorial rule. Under this system, the elite were given control of large estates in return for military service to the king. Sometimes bishoprics received land as gifts for the foundation of monasteries and churches. In combination with the good organisation of the church, landlordism led to a new, much more structured landscape.
Each farm also included farmsteads and peasants belonging to it. These had to give up part of their yield or livestock. An example of a farm of this type is Espelo farm near Enschede. Field names and traces in the landscape refer to the vanished Hölterhof, which was located near the Aamsveen car park (Sagenweg).