English Peasant Life in the Late Middle Ages Descriptive Essay

A descriptive paper on the daily life of the English peasant in the late Middle Ages.
# 145718 | 2,331 words | 11 sources | MLA | 2010 | US
Published on Nov 25, 2010 in History (British)


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Description:

The paper looks at the peasants' low social standing under the feudal system that was under the domination of the church. The paper describes the peasants' homes, family arrangements, daily life and the specific role of the women. The paper also examines the medicine and healthcare available, the role of religion, the common food and diet as well as the system of law and punishment. The paper illustrates how, with the limited technology of the day and the harsh control by the social system, the typical peasant suffered a short and harsh existence.

Outline:
The Peasants' Role in the Social System
Homes
Family
Daily Life
Peasant women
Clothing
Health and Medicine
Religion
Food and Diet
Law and Punishment

From the Paper:

"The people in England's late Middle Ages lived in a feudal system. This pyramid based society held the king at the top, in control of all. He was basically owner of everything in the country, land, livestock, and all else within his territory. He kept part of the country for his own personal use, usually about twenty five percent of the land. The church was also given a portion, tax free, and the rest was divided amongst the king's trusted lords and knights. They had to swear their allegiance to the king, promising to defend him and fight for him when necessary, as well as ensure taxes and rents would be paid to the king for the land they controlled. The Lords of these "manors" would then distribute the land to the lower ranks, the peasants, who worked the property as farmers and paid the taxes and rents. The Lord, as well as providing the land, agreed to protect his tenants. Peasants were tied to the land, they couldn't leave without permission from their lord, and their payments were very high."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • The civilization of the Middle Ages / Norman F. Cantor. New York : HarperPerennial, 1994, c1993.
  • Georges Comet, Michel Kaplan "Peasant" Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages. Ed. Andre Vauchez. (c) 2001 by James Clarke and Co.. Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages: (e-reference edition). Oxford University Press. County College of Morris. 12April 2010
  • Middle Ages Reference Library. Ed. Judy Galens and Judson Knight. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2001. p213-226.
  • Middle Ages Reference Library. Ed. Judy Galens and Judson Knight. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2001. p1-6.
  • http://www.historyonthenet.com/Medieval_Life/houses.htm

Cite this Descriptive Essay:

APA Format

English Peasant Life in the Late Middle Ages (2010, November 25) Retrieved December 08, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/descriptive-essay/english-peasant-life-in-the-late-middle-ages-145718/

MLA Format

"English Peasant Life in the Late Middle Ages" 25 November 2010. Web. 08 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/descriptive-essay/english-peasant-life-in-the-late-middle-ages-145718/>

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