Most people living during the Middle Ages lived in the country and worked as farmers. Usually there was a local lord who lived in a large house called a castle. Local peasants (农民) would work on the land for the lord.
The peasants worked hard all year long. They grew crops. They also had gardens where they grew vegetables and fruit. They also sometimes had a few animals such as chickens for eggs and cows for milk.
Life in the city
City life was very different from country life, but it wasn't much easier. The cities were crowded and dirty. A lot of people worked as craftsmen. Other jobs in the city included servants, businessmen, bakers, doctors, and lawyers (律师).
What were their homes like?
Although we often think of pictures of large castles when we think of the Middle Ages, most people lived in small homes with one or two rooms. These homes were very crowded and usually all slept in the same room. In the country, the family animals, like a cow, may also live inside the home. The home was usually dark and uncomfortable.
Did they go to school?
Very few people attended school in the Middle Ages. Most peasants learnt their job and how to live from their parents. Some children learnt crafts in stores. Rich children often learnt through tutors (家庭教师). They would go to live in the castle of another lord where they would work for the lord, learning about how a large castle was run.
