What Did Medieval Peasants Actually Do All Day?

Some historians say a medieval English peasant worked only 150 days a year. Others say closer to 300. So what did life in an English village around the year 1300 really look like? In five parts we cover the working year and the dispute around Juliet Schor and Gregory Clark, the daily food of pottage, dark bread and ale, the farming calendar from ploughing to the August harvest, Lady Day, Lammas and Michaelmas, the first sleep and second sleep research by historian Roger Ekirch in his book At Day's Close, and the football, church ales and feasts that filled the holy days. Figures are rough estimates and historians still disagree. The takeaway: the past was not easier. It was just louder, muddier, and a lot more fun on Sundays. Subscribe for more weird facts about people and history. #medievalhistory #peasants #historyfacts #middleages #sleephistory #curiosity