Life of a Free Peasant
What percentage of the medieval population were free peasants?
More than 90%.
Name two religious festivals peasants could participate in.
Christmas and Easter.
From what materials were peasant clothes typically made?
Rough wool and linen.
What kind of tasks did children typically do from a young age?
Farming and household chores.
What religion dominated medieval European society?
Christianity.
List two responsibilities free peasants had in their daily lives.
Maintaining the house and assisting in shops or farms.
Why did peasants look forward to festivals like Christmas and Easter?
These festivals allowed them to eat luxury items like meat and fish, which were usually rare.
What specific winter clothing items did peasants wear?
Hats and mittens made from thicker materials, along with coats made from animal fur.
What was the primary way children learned skills in medieval Europe?
Through observation and participation.
Name one folk ritual or belief that peasants combined with Christianity.
Astrology, charms, talismans, or nature-connected rituals.
What kind of taxes did free peasants have to pay?
Rent, a mandatory church tithe (10%), and fees for using equipment like mills and ovens.
How many major festivals could peasants participate in each year?
Around 20.
Describe the diet of medieval peasants.
It consisted of bread, cheese, eggs, ale, pottage (a type of stew), porridge, occasionally fish or meat, gathered nuts, berries, honey, and limited dairy.
Why did many children not receive formal education?
Education was inaccessible to most due to poverty and the expectation of working on farms or for their parents.
What was one positive aspect of the feudal system for free peasants?
Access to farming land and community support.
What were some recreational activities free peasants participated in during their free time?
Playing football, making handcrafts, storytelling, singing, dancing, attending church, and home brewing.
Why were festivals important to peasant communities?
They offered hope, free food, and a way to engage with their Christian faith and traditions.
During festivals, what food items would peasants enjoy for free?
Fish and meat provided by the church.
What were the consequences of children working long hours on farms?
Their health declined, and in some cases, children died from exhaustion.
What was one negative impact of the feudal system on free peasants?
It limited their opportunities and trapped them in cycles of poverty.
What were the key positives and negatives of being a free peasant?
Positives: Freedom to travel, legal land ownership, choosing work.
Negatives: Heavy taxes, unhygienic conditions, and vulnerability to disease.
Why were peasants excluded from castle celebrations but included in church festivals?
Castles were reserved for nobles and the king, while churches believed in treating all Christians fairly.
What drink did peasants consume daily, and why was it significant?
They drank low-alcohol ale for hydration because it was safer than water.
Name one skill taught to children through sewing or farming.
Girls learned textile making, and boys learned essential agricultural techniques.
Why did over 95% of free peasants convert to Christianity?
The pope encouraged fairness, opposing slavery, and the church held significant authority in daily life and festivals.