The lord and his lady were the rulers of the small feudal state, often giving direct alligence to the monarch of the realm. They lived ina castle, which served not only as a home, but a fortress to protect the entire feudal state. They controlled how the state was run and provided protection to the serfs with their army of knights. These noble marriages were usually arranged by the parents, often when the couple were young children. They hoped for male heirs, since the estate when directly to the olders male child of the union. Although nearly every lord wanted a male heir, it was often difficult to accomplish. Many times children died of disease or accident bofore they were 15 years old.