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Middle Ages
Daily Life
Life in the Country
Most people live in the country and work as
farmers. Usually there is a local lord who lives in a
large house called a manor or a castle. Local
peasants work the land for the lord. The peasants
are called the lord's "villeins", which is like a
servant.
The peasants work hard all year. They grow crops
such as barley, wheat, and oats. They also have
gardens where they grow vegetables (peas, beans,
onions) and fruits (quinces, apples). They also have
animals: chickens for eggs and cows for milk.
Life in the City
City life is very different from country life, but it is difficult too. The
cities are crowded and dirty. A lot of people work as craftsmen and are
members of a guild. Young boys are apprentices for seven years and
learn a craft. Other jobs in the city include servants, merchants,
bakers, doctors, and lawyers.
What do they eat?
Peasants eat bread
and stew. In the stew there are beans, dried
peas, cabbage, and
other vegetables. Other foods like meat,
cheese, and eggs are usually saved for special occasions. The nobles eat a wider variety of food
including meat such as capon, goose, beef, bacon, lamb, and sweet puddings. Vegetables are
considered too common for the upper class. People drink ale or wine. The water is bad and
makes them sick.
What are their homes like?
Most people live in small
homes. These homes are very
crowded and usually everyone
sleeps in the same room. In
the country, the family animals, such as a cow, also live inside
the home. The home is usually dark, smoky from the fire, and
uncomfortable.
What do they wear?
Most peasants wear plain clothing made from
heavy wool to keep them warm during the winter.
The wealthy wear much nicer clothes made from
fine wool, velvet, and even silk. Men generally
wear a tunic, woollen stockings, breeches, and a
cloak. Women wear a long skirt called a kirtle, an
apron, woollen stockings, and a cloak.
Do they go to school?
Very few people go to school. Most peasants learn a job. Some
children learn a craft through apprenticeship and the guild system.
Wealthy children often learn with tutors. They go to live in the
castle of another lord where they work for the lord, and learn to
run a large manor.
There are some schools run by the church. Here students learn to
read and write Latin. The first universities also begin during the Middle Ages. University
students study a wide range of subjects including reading, writing, logic, math, music,
astronomy, and public speaking.
Do they play?
Like many aspects of medieval life, Middle ages games and
entertainment depend greatly on social class.
Peasants play games that require minimal equipment, but the
wealthy have enough money for special pieces and components for
more complex types of entertainment.
Children need the opportunity to play and there are a number of types of toys. It is obvious
that the toys are relatively simple, produced at home or in the village. There are not a lot of
materials for making toys, so children have to be content with the spare and unused pieces used
to create their toys.