Would you be surprised to learn that the lives of European medieval peasants were difficult? Beyond back-breaking labour and a lack of agency, they faced societal judgment and constraints that shaped their daily lives. In the stratified yet tightly controlled medieval world, the working class bore social burdens that
Life for the labouring class during the Middle Ages wasn't about careers or even necessarily a job. It was focused on a constant struggle to survive, which should inspire respect for their resilience, set against the rhythmic yet unyielding progression of the seasons. People had to be opportunistic
While written records are valuable sources of evidence, the Medieval manuscript offers a highly visual look into the world of work in the Middle Ages. They depict various aspects of working life, such as clothing and tools, as well as the methods workers used. As we discuss the value of
Funerary practices and death rituals are an accessible entry point for understanding periods of history tied to specific cultures and geographies. These customs often have long ties to groups’ core belief systems in religious and local folkloric contexts. Pre-Victorian traditions around the deceased were closely tied to the rhythms
Would you be surprised to learn that the lives of European medieval peasants were difficult? Beyond back-breaking labour and a lack of agency, they faced societal judgment and constraints that shaped their daily lives. In the stratified yet tightly controlled medieval world, the working class bore social burdens that