Leisure and the Peasant Class of England
During the 15th and 16th Centuries, peasants made up a majority of the English population. They were used for labor and military service. Peasant housing mostly consisted of a single long hall with a fireplace for heat and a single window to the outside world. Peasant life was controlled by the agricultural seasons. Peasants did not contact the higher classes very frequently and were often seen close to home in the company of other peasants. Overall, when times were good peasants were known to eat, drink and be merry. However when times were bad, they were hungry, sick and riot prone.
Family Life
For peasants, hunting was more of a means of obtaining food than a sport. They produced most of their own food, clothing and household items. Each family spun and wove their own cloth. Many of the people were peasant farmers. Peasants worked for the feudal barons and landowning nobles, or the kingdom that they belonged to and were protected by. Some children received an education in monastery schools. All peasant children would make themselves as useful to their parents as possible as soon as they were old enough to work. Families spent a lot of time in the church and attended many religious festivals.
For peasants, hunting was more of a means of obtaining food than a sport. They produced most of their own food, clothing and household items. Each family spun and wove their own cloth. Many of the people were peasant farmers. Peasants worked for the feudal barons and landowning nobles, or the kingdom that they belonged to and were protected by. Some children received an education in monastery schools. All peasant children would make themselves as useful to their parents as possible as soon as they were old enough to work. Families spent a lot of time in the church and attended many religious festivals.
The Village Square
Peasants often attended the jousting tournaments occurring in the village square. In addition, games such as cockfights, wrestling, running and jumping were popular sports. Football matches were often played between crowds of men and became very violent. Betting was common and drinking was part of the experience for peasants watching sports. Drinking in taverns was a favorite pastime. Another common source of entertainment were the many public punishments and executions occurring in the village square. Moreover, people enjoyed the village feasts and listening to music played by other peasants.
Peasants often attended the jousting tournaments occurring in the village square. In addition, games such as cockfights, wrestling, running and jumping were popular sports. Football matches were often played between crowds of men and became very violent. Betting was common and drinking was part of the experience for peasants watching sports. Drinking in taverns was a favorite pastime. Another common source of entertainment were the many public punishments and executions occurring in the village square. Moreover, people enjoyed the village feasts and listening to music played by other peasants.
Other Pastimes
Peasants did not act in the theater. They sat down towards the bottom of the stage and acted very dirty, slum-like and savaged. The peasants were less proper than the merchant class when attending the theater.
Peasants were known to be storytellers and often engage in song, dance, cards, and dice. Marriage was meant to be a religious sacrament, and had to be good for the welfare of the family and the community.
Peasants did not act in the theater. They sat down towards the bottom of the stage and acted very dirty, slum-like and savaged. The peasants were less proper than the merchant class when attending the theater.
Peasants were known to be storytellers and often engage in song, dance, cards, and dice. Marriage was meant to be a religious sacrament, and had to be good for the welfare of the family and the community.
Fashion
A peasant man would wear a tunic or shirt, with breeches of some kind. Often men wore a vest with or without sleeves over it. They maintained shaggy hair and wore hats to keep it out of their eyes. Many had stockings and shoes. In their pouches they would have a small knife for eating. Clothing probably had holes or patches and appeared coarsely woven. Trim was kept simple. A peasant woman would have a long sleeved shift under everything, at least two skirts and an apron when doing work. She would wear a vest which was either laced or buttoned. Woman over the age of 13 had their hair covered by a cap. In cold weather women would wear shawls.
A peasant man would wear a tunic or shirt, with breeches of some kind. Often men wore a vest with or without sleeves over it. They maintained shaggy hair and wore hats to keep it out of their eyes. Many had stockings and shoes. In their pouches they would have a small knife for eating. Clothing probably had holes or patches and appeared coarsely woven. Trim was kept simple. A peasant woman would have a long sleeved shift under everything, at least two skirts and an apron when doing work. She would wear a vest which was either laced or buttoned. Woman over the age of 13 had their hair covered by a cap. In cold weather women would wear shawls.