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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.