Medieval peasants only worked around 150 days a year and the feudal lords were legally liable for the quality of their housing and medical care.

But sure we’re all free and better off now…

Many saints days or holidays (holy days) were left free for worship and relaxation. And wars excluding religious strife and uprisings only killed off the aristocracy and those in their pay. The rest of the country would go about its business.

And when you’re an English peasant and all the aristocracy getting their heads whacked in are Norman French, who cares?

There’s a recorded battle between the English and the Scots where a levy of commoners from both armies were ordered to charge each other, much to the anger of the lords of both sides, they met in the middle, drank ale and generally talked amongst themselves for a few hours.