French Peasant Life Before the Industrial Revolution

From 1450 onwards, French peasants worked from dusk until dawn to provide for their own families as well as pay rent to their landlords, tithes to the Church and tax to the king.

The peasant spent most of his daylight hours working in the fields - tilling, sowing, harvesting. He might have tended some livestock, but he and his family were rarely allowed to enjoy the meat. That and white bread made from wheat were sold at the village market. The peasant and his family instead ate bread, porridge or gruel made from barley, rye or oats.

Grains made up most of the peasant's diet, which only occasionally included cheese, eggs or salty fish. As a result, peasants often suffered from malnutrition. They were also very vulnerable to crop failure.

If a crop failed, the peasant would not earn enough to pay the rent, and he could be removed from the land.

Therefore, peasant families were very dependent on the good will of their landlords.

Influence of the Church

The church was one of the largest landowners in France and influenced every aspect of daily life.

Priests and monks acted as doctors, lawyers, teachers and agricultural experts. They provided welfare and hospitality.

If a peasant had a dispute with a neighbor, he went to a church court.

Village church bells told villagers what time it was and spread the news by ringing to celebrate victories, warn of invasions or announce royal births. Church bells tolled at funerals.

The church calendar told peasants on which days they should eat and on which days they should fast.