Peasantry

Definition

Peasantry refers to the social class of rural laborers and farmers who worked the land and were primarily engaged in agriculture during the medieval period. This class was essential for the economy, as they produced the food and goods that sustained the population, and they often lived under a system of feudal obligations that shaped their lives and roles within society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Peasants made up the majority of the medieval population, often living in small villages and working collectively on communal lands.
2. The rights and obligations of peasants were largely defined by local customs, and they could range from freeholders who owned their land to serfs who were tied to it.
3. Peasant life was marked by hard labor, limited social mobility, and various forms of exploitation, but they also formed tight-knit communities with shared cultural practices.
4. Peasants were often involved in local governance through village assemblies, giving them a voice in certain decisions, although their influence was generally limited compared to nobility.
5. The agricultural practices of peasants evolved over time, incorporating crop rotation and other techniques that improved yields and sustained local economies.

Review Questions

• How did peasantry contribute to the economic structure of medieval society?
  • Peasantry was fundamental to the medieval economy as they were primarily responsible for agricultural production. Their labor on farms provided food for both themselves and the urban population, which relied on them for sustenance. Through feudal obligations, peasants contributed to the wealth of their lords while also participating in local economies through barter and trade of surplus goods. This made them a vital part of the overall economic framework of medieval life.
• Discuss the impact of serfdom on peasant life and social structure during the medieval period.
  • Serfdom deeply affected peasant life by restricting their freedom and binding them to their lord's land. Serfs had limited rights compared to free peasants; they could not leave the manor without permission and had to provide labor services in exchange for protection and the right to work certain plots of land. This created a hierarchical social structure where serfs were at the bottom, facing economic hardships while being subject to the whims of their lords. It also reinforced a system that prioritized nobility over peasant rights.
• Evaluate how changes in agricultural practices during the medieval period influenced social mobility among peasants.
  • Changes in agricultural practices, such as the introduction of crop rotation and improved tools, led to increased productivity among peasants. This growth allowed some peasants to accumulate surplus goods that could be traded or sold, providing opportunities for wealth accumulation. While many remained bound by feudal obligations, these improvements occasionally facilitated social mobility for those able to invest in land or participate in emerging markets. However, such advancements were not uniform across regions, meaning that while some peasants benefited, many continued to face significant restrictions on their mobility due to socio-economic constraints.

Related terms

Feudalism:

A social and economic system prevalent in medieval Europe, where land was held by lords who granted portions to vassals in exchange for service, with peasants working the land.

Serfdom: A condition in which peasants were bound to the land and subject to the will of the landowner, often working without personal freedom or ownership of property.

Manorialism: An economic system centered around a lord's manor, which included the lord's estate and surrounding lands worked by peasants, forming the basic unit of medieval rural society.