About the smallfolk of Alban

 

The majority of people lived in the country and worked as farmers. Usually there was a local lord who lived in a large house called a manor or a castle. Local peasants usually worked the land for the lord. The peasants were called the lord's "villeins", which was like a servant.

 

Some farmers worked directly for them selves, either leasing their land from the lord, or if they have accumulated enough wealth, they would buy the land outright, and could earn a pretty comfortable living, depending on the crops they yielded or the animals they farmed.

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Tenants known as Serfs who occupied a plot of land were required to work for the lord of the manor who owned that land. In return, they were entitled to protection, justice, and the right to cultivate certain fields within the manor to maintain their own subsistence.

 

What else did they work at?

 

Besides  the farmers there was also the  merchant class including artisans, masons, armorers, bakers, shoemakers, ropemakers, dyers, and other skilled workers. Of all the craftsmen, the masons were the highest paid and most respected. They were, after all, responsible for building the cathedrals, manors,  castles, and guildhalls.

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What did they eat and drink?

Rich and poor alike ate a dish called pottage, a thick soup containing meat, vegetables, or bran. The more luxurious pottage was called 'mortrew', and a pottage containing cereal was a 'frumenty'. Bread was the staple for all classes, although the quality and price varied depending on the type of grain used. They'd also eat meat stews, leafy greens, cheese, butter and seasonal fruits.  

All classes commonly drank ale or beer. Milk was also available, but usually reserved for younger people. Wine was imported from Latium for those with money. The wealthier you were, the better you ate. There was usually a watering well centered in the middle of the towns, or spotted around the country side.  This was rarely used for drinking.

What did they do for fun?

Songs and stories were very popular. People would entertain themselves with song, dance, music and stories. Wandering entertainers, called minstrels or troubadours, would travel from village to village providing such entertainment – particularly music – for the local people. They'd also visit the local tavern from time to time. 

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Where they educated?

Some men were, women less likely. Noblewomen and nuns, in particular, had access to books and were often literate. Women were also trained in domestic skills like sewing. However, education for both women and men tended to be limited to the upper classes and the clergy.

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What were their homes like?

It depended on the wealth of the small folk, some had one story, 1 to 2 room houses, built from wood, and a mud like substance that would harden once dried. They were cold, damp, and dark. Sometimes it was warmer and lighter outside the home than within its walls. For security purposes, windows, when they were present, were very small openings with wooden shutters that were closed at night or in bad weather. Some were larger two story dwellings, with up to 2 or 3 bedrooms, including entrance halls, dining and cooking areas, with a large hearth in the middle of it.