How Much Did Farmers in Medieval Times Actually Earn?

The concept of earning a regular wage as we understand it today was not prevalent in medieval times. Most farmers and peasants were self-sufficient, producing the food they consumed and sometimes selling surplus produce. However, the amount of money they earned was generally minimal and inconsistent.

Peasant Life: Beyond Self-Sufficiency

While many peasants managed to sustain themselves through farming and the production of food, there were other ways in which they could earn additional income. For instance, peasant women often contributed to the household economy by engaged in activities such as spinning and brewing ale. Beyond these activities, some peasants also performed various tasks for their lord or other neighbors. However, it's important to note that the majority of peasants did not receive a regular wage. Instead, they paid rent to their lord and contributed a portion of their produce as tithe to the church. If there was a surplus, they might sell it in the local market, often earning only a shilling or two in a good year.

The Concept of Wealth Among Peasants

The wealthy peasant class, who owned more land and were able to produce more food, had a distinct advantage. However, this group was relatively small in number. Other peasants, especially those with less land, faced greater challenges and had less surplus to sell. Some pursued other means to earn additional income, such as engaging in various side hustles.

From the perspective of a typical peasant, money was not a tangible commodity like the silver pennies used by merchants and the nobility. Instead, they paid taxes and rent in the form of crops and free labor. The idea of earning money from wages was foreign to them. As a peasant might said: What is money? I pay my taxes in crops and free labor, not money.

Earnings and Payment in Sweden

In medieval Sweden, the notion of earning a regular wage started to take shape. For farm hands, the payment was typically in the form of one mark in coins if they were men and half a mark if they were women. Depending on the type of coin, the amount of silver could range from 50 to 210 grams. However, it's important to note that this transition from goods to currency was gradual, and the actual payment for goods and services (i.e., sed in victualibus) continued even after the introduction of coins.

According to historical records, the actual payment from Swedes for Peter's Pence to the Pope consisted of things like grains, animals, and other physical goods. These resources were more practical for the Pope, even if they were not coins. Despite this fact, the secure currency-based payment allowed peasants to save and accumulate wealth.

Adequate wealth could be accumulated by working diligently and managing the surplus. Peasants who were capable of saving money had the potential to improve their lives in the long run. For instance, a person in charge of a farm would typically earn more than the standard mark of coins. This was due to their role and responsibilities within the household, which likely included a suite of other benefits such as housing, food, and clothes.

Conclusion

While the concept of earning a regular wage was not commonplace in medieval times, the transition to a more currency-based economy in areas like Sweden allowed some farmers to earn and save money. The picture of peasant life, however, is one of mixed realities and challenges. Many peasants were fortunate enough to earn some money, but the nature of their earnings was often tied to the produce of their land and the labor they provided. The whispers of a more wage-based economy hint at the ongoing evolution of social and economic structures in medieval Europe.