What does this mean "pour un morceau de pain?"

Question

pour un morceau de pain

for a morsel of bread

In context: Les seigneurs du Malaquis, ruinés, ont dû lui vendre, pour un morceau de pain, la demeure de leurs ancêtres.

The Master of Malaquis was ruined and had to sell their ancestor's home for a morsel of bread?

1) Is this English correct/natural?

2) Does it mean he sold his house in exchange for food?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi Sandy! Yes, pour un morceau de pain means "for a piece/bite/morsel of bread".

What you wrote is good but you can change it to plural.

The lords of Malaquis were ruined and had to resort to selling their ancestral homes for a morsel of bread.

Answer 2

It means «for a morcel of bread». In this context it means "for a penny" or "for a song".

As in

"The lords of Malaquis, who were ruined, had to sell the residence of their ancestors, for a penny."

The intended meaning is that they could not feed themselves and needed to sell their estate for food.

Answer 3

What does this means " prendre la poudre d'escampette ? "

S'enfuir; se sauver .