by Anne Penny

Created on: May 09, 2009   Last Updated: May 13, 2009

The seasons and the farming calendar were controlling factors in the life of a peasant in medieval times. He was at the bottom in the feudal hierarchy and owed all that he had to the lord of the manor on which he lived.

The feudal system was introduced to England by William the Conqueror after he defeated Harold in 1066. It was a clear hierarchy of rank and in it, everybody knew their place from the king at the top, down to the peasants, servants and craftsmen at the base of the social pyramid.

The peasant worked in the fields owned by his lord and the annual demands of farming were considerable. He had no machinery to help him plough and sow seeds, thresh and winnow the corn. He had to mow and gather hay, cut and chop wood. Peasants produced all the food needed for the towns and the year round tasks were endless.

He had a small field on which to grow his own family's needs but little time to spend on it. He was required to pay a tithe [10%] to the Church of what he produced from his labors. He could pay this in cash or seeds, though giving seeds would have diminished his production in the following year. The peasant also had to work for a portion of his free time on Church land.

The peasant's wife led an equally hard life, expected to help her husband on the land, especially at harvest time, as well as attending to her own duties. She would have been married to him at the age of about 17 years and child-bearing and child-care would have been a regular feature of her life. She would have been helped by the village midwife, but 20% of medieval women died in childbirth. She was expected to spin, weave and make garments for her family, look after the poultry and other animals and make meals. Much depended on her strength and skills.

Children would have helped with chores as soon as they were old enough. Young children might have received some basic education at the Church school but at the age of about 11 or 12 years they would have been put to work, the boys on the land and girls either kept at home to help with domestic chores or else sent to work as maids.

There were some lighter moments. The Sabbath was a rest day and Church attendance and Church festivals allowed for some socializing and gossip. There were wedding celebrations and if his lord was wealthy and kind he would hold a feast, perhaps at Christmas.

The medieval peasant undoubtedly had a hard life but his position was secure and he knew that he was an invaluable member of his society even though, socially, he was at the base of it.

References:

www.historylearningsite.co.uk

www.library.thinkquest.org

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