Peasant Life
The medieval period, or The Middle Ages, is a wide range of time in human history running approximately a millennia from the 5th to the 15th century AD.
In this article we'll specifically be discussing the life of feudal peasants in Europe during the second half of the Middle Ages.
Feudalism
The Feudal System was essentially a way of structuring society. It was largely based around land ownership, servitude, and a rigid social hierarchy. It impacted laws, trade, wars, culture, and politics.
It was characterized by a hierarchy of lords and vassals, where lords granted land, or fiefs, to vassals in exchange for loyalty, military service, and other obligations. The king was at the top of the feudal pyramid, followed by the nobility, who were the most powerful lords in the land. Beneath them were the lesser lords, and at the bottom of the pyramid were the peasants, who worked the land and paid taxes to their lords in exchange for protection.
Daily Life
Peasants had a difficult and arduous life, as they were required to work hard on a daily basis. Their daily tasks included farming, tending to animals, and maintaining their homes and land. During the planting and harvesting seasons, peasants would work long hours in the fields, often from dawn to dusk, in order to ensure a successful crop. They also had to care for their animals, including feeding and watering them, as well as milking cows and collecting eggs. In addition, peasants were responsible for maintaining their homes and property, which included repairing buildings and fences, chopping wood, and fetching water. Despite their hard work, medieval peasants often lived in poverty and faced numerous challenges, including famine, disease, and the threat of violence from marauding armies.