Did Peasants in the Middle Ages Have to Work on Sundays?

It is a common misconception that peasants during the Middle Ages had to work every day, including Sundays. In fact, Sundays played a significant role in peasant life, both as a day of rest and religious observance. The question of whether peasants worked on Sundays in the Middle Ages is more nuanced than it may appear at first glance.

Did Peasants Have Labor-Free Sundays?

There is evidence to support the idea that peasants in the Middle Ages did not have to work on Sundays. Historically, Sundays were typically regarded as a day of rest and religious observance. However, this did not mean that peasants were entirely idle. There were always chores to be done, and in the field of agriculture, certain tasks might continue even on this day.

Economist Juliet Shor's research into medieval English wages has provided valuable insights into the work patterns of peasants. She found that during periods of particularly high wages, such as in the 14th century, peasants might put in no more than 150 days of labor per year. This included Sundays, in which case, the work would have been minimal and might consist of necessary activities like feeding the animals or tending to their basic needs.

Chores and Sundays

The Bible teaches, “And on the seventh day He rested.” This is a common reminder that even in the context of Christian communities, Sundays were not entirely free of work. There were always chores to be done. For example, farmers would need to milk the cows, feed the horses, and gather fresh eggs. These tasks, while necessary, were not highly demanding and could be completed in a short amount of time.

During peak harvest seasons, some Sunday work in the fields, orchards, or gardens might have been required to meet the demands of the harvest. However, even if there was some agricultural activity on Sundays, it was generally not as labor-intensive as the work done during the rest of the week.

Peasants and Sundays

It is important to note that the question of Sunday work for peasants in the Middle Ages depends on the time period and location. However, in general, Sundays were still a day of rest from heavy labor. The church calendar played a significant role in determining the number of holidays or holy days that peasants had, many of which fell on Sundays or extended beyond them into other days of the week.

Between Sundays and holy days, a medieval peasant might have had at least 150 days off a year, which is more than many modern workers today. These holidays provided valuable time for religious observance, family bonding, and leisure activities, allowing peasants to rest and rejuvenate.

The Church Calendar and Religious Observance

The Church calendar was a crucial part of peasant life in the Middle Ages, dictating the number of labor-free days and religious observances. Holy days, which commemorated important saints, were also days of rest. For instance, the feast of Saint Martin, which occurred on November 11th, was a significant holy day, allowing peasants a break from their arduous labor.

Conclusion

While there were always some chores to be done on Sundays, the days were generally considered days of rest and worship. Peasants in the Middle Ages likely had more days off than many modern workers, with at least 150 labor-free days a year. The combination of Sundays, holy days, and holidays created a schedule that allowed peasants to balance their work with their religious and family lives.