in olden times the peasants only had to work for their masters 2-3 days a week?

Question

the rest of the week, was theirs to look after their own small bit of land or animals etc.

why then in our time are we bound five days a week to our masters?

i thought we were supposed to be cleverer than medieval peasants?

Thing55000... i did say ''supposed' to be cleverer ;-)

Answer 1

try and call an agricultural worker a peasant

and you will see we have moved on a good bit

Answer 2

Its not a question of being clever, or smart; but rather of ignorance. They lacked knowledge and the ability to research.
Not sure on where the belief came that peasants only worked 2-3 days a week.

There was no such thing as a limitation. They worked from morning to night every day of the week. They were not paid. The feudel system brought forward by William the Conquerer in the 11th century (starting) dictated/formed the ruling class.
Peasants worked the land, in return the ruling class (baron & up) offered their protection. It was more of a trade, although they also held the power of law within their own land.

They also were not their masters, as they were not slaves. Although the labor could be comparable, they could move away without needing approval (whether the overlord let them anyways is a different matter, some were very controlling and vicious).

The peasants worked the land, as in farming and cattle. Others worked and sometimes lived in the keep, and they had specific assignments (all these included a class structure). You were allowed to have a position that was open, and your 'payment' was room and board. Positions ranged from milkmaid to cook, stable lad to midwife.

Answer 3

Peasants where basically self employed and had to work on the masters land by way of a sort of basic taxation. However they still had to work the rest of the time just keep themselves ticking over. So we probably work less nowadays all in all.

Other people in medieval times such as servants, farm workers and soldeirs had to work six and seven day weeks for very little pay and where only allowed days off to marry, give birth etc and even then it it might not be a full day.

Even though we think we may be under the thumb in modern times we really are very lucky.

Answer 4

Where did you get the idea we were cleverer than mediaeval peasants?

Consider the great architecture of the middle ages ~ built without machines. Consier the great art of the middle ages, created without cameras or graphics programmes. Consider the great learning of the middle ages, achieved without the wide availability of books and no computers, magazines, or cheat sheets.

Who's cleverer?

Best wishes :-)

Answer 5

We're not bound. You can quit and become a bum anytime you like

Answer 6

What was their pay, hours and rights like?

Answer 7

they starved