Medieval Life

Medieval life was dictated by the feudal system, which was sustained by the rights and privileges that the upper classes were given. The way of living was based on wealth, power and status.

The concept of Chivalry began around the 10th century in France as a way to reduce violence Read more about the Code of Chivalry >>

Courtly Love

Courtly love was was a gentle form of courtship that followed certain rules and standards of behavior Read more about the Courtly Love >>

Daily Life of a Medieval King: Family and Personal Life

Daily Life of a Medieval Lord: Exploring Feudalism, Manorialism, and the Interactions with Manor Staff

Daily Life of a Medieval Pope: Spiritual Authority and Responsibilities

Delving into the Dangerous and Bizarre Practices of Medieval Medicine

Easter’s Resurrection: Unraveling the Medieval Tapestry of Sacred Traditions

Echoes of the Past: 10 Authentic & Timeless Medieval Names That Endure

Exploring the Tapestry of Medieval Peasantry: Exploring Different Strata of Rural Life

Feudal System

The Feudal System was brought to England by the Normans Read more about the Feudal System >>

Guardians of Order: Medieval Crime Stoppers in a World Without Police

How Medieval Lords played a Crucial Role within the Feudal System

How Religion & Spirituality Shape Daily Life During the Medieval Period

Life in a Medieval Castle: Exploring the Daily Routines and Social Hierarchy

Living History: Experiencing Medieval Life in England’s Historic Towns

Medieval Alchemy: Unearthing 10 Fascinating Secrets

Medieval Birth Control Methods: A Historical Perspective on Contraception

Medieval Calligraphy

Medieval Calligraphy was used to ornament medieval writing such as letters and words. Read more about the Medieval Calligraphy >>

Medieval Christmas

Medieval Christmas times celebrated a mix of Christian and Pagan Beliefs and the birth of Jesus. Read more about the Medieval Christmas >>

Medieval City

Medieval Cities were built along riverbanks or near monasteries & castles Read more about the Medieval City >>

Medieval Dance

Medieval Dance was very popular during all of the medieval period Read more about the Medieval Dance >>

Medieval Diseases

Medieval diseases were common in medieval times due to poor hygiene. Read more about the Medieval Diseases >>

Medieval Education

Medieval Education was the prerogative of the Church, especially during the early medieval period Read more about the Medieval Education >>

Medieval Fair

Medieval fairs were a big part of medieval life, usually held in a medieval town once a year Read more about the Medieval Fair >>

Medieval Farming

Medieval Farming was central to medieval life for food and employment. Read more about the Medieval Farming >>

Medieval Festivals

A large number of festivals were celebrated during the medieval period Read more about the Medieval Festivals >>

Medieval Games

Medieval games such as Alquerques and Shuffle-board were popular strategy games Read more about the Medieval Games >>

Medieval Health Cures List

Discover Medieval Health Cures available in Medieval Times for injuries and health issues such as Arrow Wounds Read more about the Medieval Health Cures List >>

Medieval Houses

Peasants homes were commonly made of wood, sticks and mud, this style was called 'wattle and daub' Read more about the Medieval Houses >>

Medieval Jobs & Occupations

Discover all the top Important Jobs of Medieval People in the Middle Ages

Read more about the Medieval Jobs & Occupations >>

Medieval Literature

Early Literature was usually written in French and Latin, in later medieval times English was the dominant laguage Read more about the Medieval Literature >>

Medieval Manor

Both manor estates and houses were owned and controlled by a Medieval Lord. Read more about the Medieval Manor >>

Medieval Manors and Manorialism: 10 Key Facts

Medieval Medical Oddities: Bizarre Ailments and Peculiar Cures of a Bygone Era

Medieval Medicine

Plants were popular medieval medicines either raw or in potions, spiritual healing was also popular. Read more about the Medieval Medicine >>

Medieval Medicine 10 Key Facts: Remedies, Practices, and the Role of Physicians

Medieval Monarchs: The Power Play Between Kings and Queens

Medieval Poems

Venerable Bede translates medieval poem for scribe

Beowulf and Canterbury tales were just two of many famous medieval poems Read more about the Medieval Poems >>

Medieval Religion

Medieval religion was important and there were Churches in most medieval towns and villages. Read more about the Medieval Religion >>

Medieval Schools

Medieval Schools were mainly controlled by the Church in Medieval Times Read more about the Medieval Schools >>

Medieval Sports

Medieval sports were commonly aimed at improving the fighting skills of soldiers and knights Read more about the Medieval Sports >>

Medieval Theatre

Theatre was popular in the medieval times, travelling performers called strolling players were popular performers Read more about the Medieval Theatre >>

Medieval Towns

The Norman conquest of England led to the creation of many outstanding towns under feudalism

Medieval Trade and Commerce: The Rise of Merchant Guilds and Market Towns

Medieval Village

Medieval Lords ruled Villages in line with the rules of the Feudal system. Medieval villages were well run and self sufficient operations Read more about the Medieval Village >>

Peculiar Medieval Superstitions and Beliefs: Unraveling the Mystical Past

Ring in the New Year: Top 10 Perks for Medieval Peasants Granted by the Lord of the Manor

Rise and Grind: A Day in the Life of a Medieval Baker – Top 10 Daily Duties

Sip into the New Year: Top 10 Medieval Drinks to Usher in the New Year

The Feudal System Hierarchy and Manorialism in Medieval Society

The Medieval Horse. What was Life Really Like for Horses in the Medieval Times?

The Top 10 Most Important Facts About Feudalism

Top 10 Facts About the Medieval Cities

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Medieval People

Top 10 Most Famous Medieval Plays

Top 10 Suprising things about Medieval Peasants

Top 10 Suprising Things about Medieval Towns

Top 10 Surprising Things about the Feudal System

Unlocking the Mysteries of Medieval Towns: 10 Key Questions Answered

Unraveling Conflict in Medieval Towns and Cities: Exploring Violence and its Forms

Unveiling the Hierarchy: Exploring the Types of Medieval Peasants and their Roles

Unveiling the Mysteries: 10 Surprising Aspects of Medieval Villages

Unveiling the Past: 10 Fascinating Insights into Education in Medieval Times

Unveiling the Prestigious Professions of Medieval Times: From Knights to Scribes

What Did People Gift Each Other for Christmas in Medieval Times?

Why Medieval Towns Were Dirty & Smelly

Yuletide Revelry in the Middle Ages: Top 10 Ways Medieval People Celebrated Christmas and New Year

Feudalism and the Feudal System

The feudal system had been operating successfully in mainland Europe for some time before it was brought to England by the Conquering Norman nobility in the 10th century.

Norman Flag

Medieval life was organized by the feudal system, in this system a high ranking noble such as a Duke was granted the use of huge areas of land by the King, often this high ranking noble would in turn divide up the land into smaller plots and grant lower-ranking nobles and often knights the use of this land in return of their loyalty and services rendered which were commonly the provision of a standing army or individual military service.

Feudal System

This land often became what is called a manor estate controlled by a lord or other high-ranking noble who lived in a manor house within the manor estate. The lord was known as ‘The Lord of the Manor’.

These manor estates had to be productive to create wealth for kings and nobility and were commonly self-sustaining operations, so workers worked the land to produce food and other produce in the fields and in other areas of the manor estate, these lower-class people were called peasants and were the most common type of people in medieval society.

The most common peasant, the medieval serf would often be found plowing the fields and cultivating the land.

Medieval Peasants under the watch of a Medieval Reeve

Manor estates were commonly found in rural areas and the peasant workers either lived on the manor estate where they were tied to the land and could be sold with it or they could be within another class of peasantry such as freemen who lived in the surrounding areas of the village and often commuted to the manor estate, these peasants were not tied to the land and often received payment in some form for their labor. This system was called ‘Manorialism‘.

Medieval Manor House

Interesting Facts

The land granted to a lord by a king or by a noble to a lower-ranking noble was called a ‘fief’ or a ‘fiefdom’ and these tracts of land could include heritable rights that meant they could be passed down from one generation to the next.
Peasants such as Serfs were tied to the land and had little freedom, however, they were granted the use of small plots of land on which to grow their own food and a modest home in which to live.

Medieval Daily Lives

Daily life in medieval Europe was typically hard and involved a lot of work. Most of the population comprised of the peasantry who toiled on the agricultural land. The towns were centered on castles and were home to tradesmen and other skilled professions.

The towns boasted large populations. They were hubs of trade and commerce. The overall population was divided into several sections. These include peasants, the nobility, and the tradesmen. Movement across the classes was rare but became frequent as the middle Ages proceeded.

Gated Medieval Town

Life of Nobility

The noble classes in medieval Europe enjoyed a life of abundance and plenty. That being said, they also had many challenges. On one hand, they had to manage large sections of land and ensure that the land remained productive. On the other hand, they had to keep in favor of the king and be ready to participate in any wars that the king decided to fight.

The daily life of a nobleman comprised of participating in highly elaborate court etiquettes, having meals with a large number of people, playing games, and listening to music. Many noblemen also had to routinely attend to the monarch, king, or nobleman who was above them in the social hierarchy.

Picture of Medieval Baron Medieval Nobility Medieval Baron Oliver St John

Medieval Nobility *Baron Oliver St John

At a Glance:

Nobility enjoyed a life of abundance and plenty
They also had many responsibilities and challenges
They managed large pieces of land
They also ensured that they had good terms with the king and remained ready to join the king in any new wars
They had large feasts often, performed elaborate etiquette, listened to music, and played games

Life of Peasantry

The life of the medieval peasants was one of the continuous toils. They primarily worked on the agricultural land, with their duties assigned by the local lord. Each peasant family received a parcel of land. The family was then responsible for tilling this land, planting and harvesting the crops, and paying the bulk of their produce to the lord. They received food and other necessities to help them survive in return.

Medieval Peasants under the watch of a medieval Reeve

Daily life typically involved waking up early in the morning, having a meal of porridge, and then attending to livestock animals. The men and older children would then work on the land. The women would work at home or be a part of the household of the local lord where they performed various tasks.

Peasants *Serfs Ploughing Fields

At a Glance:

Peasants lived a life of hard work
They worked on the agricultural land assigned to them by the local lord
They planted and harvested crops, and looked after livestock
They lived in simple houses and ate meals like pottage (Stew) and vegetables

Life of Women

The responsibilities of medieval women depended on the class to which they belonged. Noblewomen typically enjoyed a life of comfort. They would look over the household, ensure that the servants performed daily tasks, and could occasionally handle estate affairs as well. Some noblewomen also engaged in business activities.

Women from rich families in towns and cities often engaged in trade, money lending, and other business affairs. Women from less affluent backgrounds would engage in various forms of work such as brewing, inn-keeping, and weaving. Peasant women worked on the land, tended to the livestock, and also sometimes worked as the domestic servants of the more well-to-do families.

Medieval Women at work

At a Glance:

Women of the noble class managed the servants of the household
They also sometimes managed affairs of the estate or business
Some women in cities and towns engaged in trading and money lending
Less affluent women worked at inn-keeping, brewing, and other similar tasks

Life of Children

The life of children in the medieval period also depended on their social background. A noble boy learned sword fighting, shooting with an arrow, and other combat skills. The boy would also learn courtly manners and etiquette, music, and other arts. In many cases, a boy from a noble family would go on to serve a higher lord as the cup-bearer.

The girls of noble families learned domestic skills from learned tutors at home. They would also learn various arts such as playing music and singing.

Children in towns and cities often moved out of their homes after a period and became attached to masters, teachers, or employers. The peasant children remained on the strip of land assigned to them or they enrolled in the domestic service of their respective lords.

At a Glance:

Boys from noble families spent their days learning combat skills, music, art, and court etiquette
Girls from noble families learned basic domestic skills
Children in towns and cities became apprentices or employers at a young age

Life of Monks

Monks lived lives of isolation and devotion to knowledge. They abandoned their homes to live inside monasteries. The everyday life of a medieval monk comprised of reading religious scriptures, performing religious activities, and engaging in the reading and learning of other texts.

The monks spent a lot of time reading and writing. They would translate older texts, write new books, and ornament the manuscripts. The monks also remained in touch with the religious authorities and the local lords.

At a Glance:

Monks lived in monasteries, away from families and other people
They spent their daily lives practicing religious teachings, reading, and writing
They would translate and write books, ornament manuscripts, and develop various arts

City Life

The city life in medieval Europe was centered on major castles. The castles were first built to defend the lands against attackers. Towns then grew up around the castles, eventually growing into cities.

Medieval ‘London City’ *Tower of London

The town or city life was one of activity and commerce. People in the towns and cities would work every day at inns and shops. Many townspeople were part of some form of trade such as brewing, weaving, or mining. Unlike the rural regions, life in the city was relatively cramped and people lived in small, unsanitary homes.

At a Glance:

Life in the city was busy
Everyone engaged in some form of trade or offered services
Inhabitants of cities typically lived in small homes

Village Life

Peasants mostly occupied the villages and engaged in various activities. The daily village life involved people tending to the livestock and going on their various duties. Some went to till the land, others performed specialized tasks such as spinning yarn, yet others would make candles or do other tasks for the lord.

This medieval village picture shows the layout of a medieval village

At a Glance:

Village life mostly involved performing various duties
Most people tilled the agricultural land
Others would daily tend to livestock, make candles, spin yarn, or performed other specialized tasks

Feudal System