What Was Life Like for a Medieval Peasant

Daily life for peasants consisted of working the land. Life was harsh, with a limited diet and little comfort. Women were subordinate to men, in both the peasant and noble classes, and were expected to ensure the smooth running of the household.

What was a typical day for a peasant?

The daily life of a peasant would have been mostly work with very little time for leisure. In summer months, work may have started as early as 3 am. Peasants would start the day with a small breakfast and proceed to work in the fields or land by sunrise.

What conditions did peasants live in?

Peasants lived in unhygienic and disease-ridden environments. Their water supply was typically filthy, as it was also where people deposited waste. Most peasants bathed once or twice throughout their entire lifetime. Peasants lived in small houses, which were also filled with bugs and disease.