Table of Contents:
  • List of figures
  • List of tables
  • Preface
  • Notes on boundaries and measures
  • Abbreviations
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Peasants and landscapes
  • The west-midland region
  • Human impacts on the land
  • Lords and landscapes
  • Peasants and the making of the landscape
  • Peasants, lords, and the changing landscape after 1350
  • Conclusion
  • 3. Peasant society: Landholding and status
  • Holding land before 1349
  • Changing circumstances: Entry fines
  • Landholding 1349-1540
  • Serfdom, 1200-1540
  • Conclusion
  • 4. Peasants changing society
  • Migration
  • Social mobility
  • Poverty
  • Village community
  • Conclusion
  • 5. Family and household
  • The size and composition of the household
  • Space for households
  • The character of family life
  • Conclusion
  • 6. Peasants and their crops
  • Fields and their regulation
  • Changing agriculture: Managing the fields
  • Crops and their use
  • Arable husbandry
  • Farming methods and techniques
  • Conclusion on husbandry and techniques
  • Arable and pasture: Managing change
  • Conclusion
  • 7. Peasant farming: Livestock and pasture
  • Horses
  • Cattle
  • Sheep
  • Goats
  • Pigs
  • Poultry
  • Bees
  • Animal husbandry on the peasant holding
  • Animal welfare
  • Marketing animals and animal products
  • Conclusion
  • 8. Peasants and towns
  • Origins of towns
  • Peasant migration into towns
  • Occupations and commerce: Peasant influence on towns
  • Peasant consumption and towns
  • Peasants and changing fortunes of towns
  • Peasants and money
  • Town and country: Cultural connections
  • Conclusion
  • 9. Peasants and industry
  • The role of lords in creating industry
  • Urban entrepreneurs and rural industry
  • Poverty and industry
  • Industry within peasant society
  • Conclusion
  • 10. Peasant outlook, values, perceptions, and attitudes
  • Piers Plowman
  • Peasants and the state
  • Peasants and lords
  • Peasants and religion
  • Peasants and the environment
  • Individuals and communities
  • Conclusion
  • Conclusion
  • Glossary
  • Bibliography
  • Index.