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How Did Medieval Peasants Survive Harsh Winters?
Hint: Many of them didn’t
Medieval winter was considered to be the point between the last harvest of the autumn and the first sowing and tilling of the land. Typically, the season ran from October to February. Unlike today, the peasantry was not concerned about meteorological seasons or true orbital seasons based on the position of the Earth or the temperature of the air. They were concerned with the time between harvest and planting. This was a sort of dead period where farmers could not sow, plant, tend, or harvest. This period was often accompanied by cold temperatures and snow, but not always. In fact, snow could linger long into spring in certain areas of Europe.
Winter was known for being tough on peasants. Ill preparation or bad fortune could lead to disaster, and disaster could easily lead to death. So, how did peasants survive harsh winters? What did they do with their time? Even when the fields sat fallow, there was always work to be done for the standard peasant. No rest for the weary. No rest for the wicked. A little rest in the winter, but not always.
What They Ate
Most peasants ate something called pottage. As the name suggests, pottage is a meal that is cooked in a large pot. Most peasants did not eat meat in the winter (in fact, most peasants…
