- Clothing: simple and made of natural materials like wool, linen, and leather.
- Peasant men: wore loose-fitting tunics and trousers, often with a belt to hold them up.
- Women: wore long dresses often belted at the waist.
- Footwear: simple shoes or boots made of leather or wood.
- Accessories: a hat or hood to protect from the elements, a bag to carry belongings.
2. Social Status:
- Peasants were the lowest class in the feudal system.
- Serfs: bound to the land and could not leave without the lord's permission.
- Free peasants: could move freely and own property but still owed certain obligations to the lord, like paying taxes and providing labor.
3. Occupation:
- Majority: farmers, worked the land to produce food for themselves and the lord.
- Others: craftsmen, blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, and millers.
4. Lifestyle:
- Lived: in small villages or hamlets.
- Homes: simple one or two-room structures made of wood, thatch, or stone.
- Furnishings: basic like a bed, table, and chairs.
5. Diet:
- Simple: bread, cheese, vegetables, and occasionally meat.
- Drank: water, ale, or mead.
6. Religion:
- Christianity: the dominant religion in medieval Europe.
- Peasants: attended church regularly and participated in religious festivals and rituals.
7. Education:
- Limited: most peasants were illiterate.
- Some: attended village schools or monasteries to learn basic reading, writing, and arithmetic.
8. Entertainment:
- Music: singing and dancing.
- Sports: archery, wrestling, and football (a medieval version).
- Storytelling: peasants gathered in the evening to listen to tales of knights, heroes, and magic.
9. Challenges:
- Disease: the lack of sanitation and medical knowledge led to frequent outbreaks of diseases like smallpox, typhus, and the plague.
- Famine: crop failures and wars often resulted in food shortages and starvation.
- Oppression: peasants were often subject to harsh treatment by the lords and their officials.
10. Resilience:
Despite these challenges, peasants played a crucial role in medieval society and formed the foundation of the European economy and culture.