What was it like to live in the MEDIEVAL TIMES?
Medieval life was extremely difficult for many people, especially peasants who worked the land and produced the goods the lord and his manor needed.
The Feudal System was based on the exchange of land in return for service. Society was built as a pyramid of sorts sustained by great differences between them depending on each social status, In fact, At the top were the wealthy ones with big privileges for the Nobles who lived in castles with their knights, ladies and servants, and no rights for the peasants, the ones positioned at the bottom of the pyramid, these were the poor people who lived on a manor or village.
Most rich people lived on manors, which consisted of the castle, the church, the village, and the surrounding farm land. These manors were isolated, with occasional visits from peddlers, pilgrims on their way to the Crusades, or soldiers from other kingdoms.
Life in the castle was difficult and often, busy. After dinner there were always some entertainment- music, jugglers, acrobats,..The king owned the land in the country and had absolute power given to them by God. The Catholic church controllled education and what people learned.
PEASANTS' HOUSES
Most medieval homes were cold, damp and dark. Sometimes it was warmer and lighter
outside the home than within its walls. For security purposes, windows were very small openings with wooden shutters that were closed at night or in bad weather. Many peasants families ate, slept and spent time toghether in a very small area. The houses were easily destroyed by fire.
Most of the time was spent working the land, and trying to grow enough food to survive another year.
Church feasts marked a rest for peasants and their lords, mainly on Sundays. Social activities were important, fairs with acrobats and troubadours (writers and performers of songs or poetry) performing in the streets... merchants selling goods in the town square, tournaments with knights from near and abroad would make peasants have fun and enjoy themselves. These were some of the ways they had to spend their leisure time in Medieval towns.
Church feasts marked a rest for peasants and their lords, mainly on Sundays. Social activities were important, fairs with acrobats and troubadours (writers and performers of songs or poetry) performing in the streets... merchants selling goods in the town square, tournaments with knights from near and abroad would make peasants have fun and enjoy themselves. These were some of the ways they had to spend their leisure time in Medieval towns.
