Life in the Middle Ages:Peasants

By: The Double B’s AKA Prasad and Loewen

(includes highlighted words for easy following!)

Peasants: An Introduction

Peasants were the lowest of the low in the medieval realm. They were still classified as civilians, though, which meant they had to pay the taxes (even if they were very poor). This PowerPoint is to give you a feel of the peasant lifestyle.

Peasants: Four Models Available

Peasants were not actually categorized as one group, but four. These were:

Villeins (they were protected by the lord) Crofters (they rented out their services) Cotters (they too rented out their services) Serfs (they moved with the land as it was

traded and sold)

Peasants: The Hard Life

Peasants work hard for what little they actually received. They worked in groups for companionship, and because they work was usually too hard for one man to do by himself. Using the oxen and plow is impossible for one man to use by himself.

Peasants: The Good Ones

A good peasant was always supporting his king and the people of the kingdom. If the peasant’s lord or noble demanded to go on a fox hunt, the peasants had to stop whatever they were doing and join the noble in the hunt. This, however, put the peasants behind schedule in their labour.

Peasants: The Rebellions

In 1356, French peasants were unhappy with the salt tax that they actually rebelled in northern and western France. This rebellion was called the Jacquerie Rebellion. Through this, they benefited by having a say in decisions to raise taxes.

Peasants: The Rebellions (cont.)

In 1381, the French and the English were waging war. The war needed to be paid for, so Parliament created a new head tax; everyone must pay one shilling towards the war. The peasants were greatly against this, with one Wat Tyler going so far as killing a tax collector (and becoming a hero to the other peasants). As they marched on London, King Richard II came out and talked to them, persuading them to return home.

Peasants: The Rebellions (cont.)

The largest rebellion by the peasants took place in Germany, in the years of 1524 and 1525. They didn’t like the higher rents and loss of privileges brought upon them. They attacked the wealthy people, namely priests and nobles. The lords and rulers sent their armies out to put an end to the rebellions, and executed the rebel leaders.

(These guys weren’t happy!)

Peasants: A Conclusion

Peasant life was terribly difficult, but there were some good years in the mix as well. Though the rebellions overall ended in executions for the leaders, the peasants were able to gather more benefits through them.

And that’s a peasant’s life. Thanks.

Bibliography

Life in the Middle Ages: the Peasants’ Lot – Mark Twain Media, Inc., Publishers

Google Images

(Star Wars ©®™ Lucsfilm Inc.)

(that’s it… yeah…)