10/17/23, 9:38 PM
Essay Medieval
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Introduction
During medieval times it was important to develop new techniques through working and labor
actions. The more agriculture started to grow the more work had to be done. Which meant they
had to find ways to accomplish the work promptly. As time went on, so did the developments of
farming and other labor work.
In the time of Carolingian Europe, “More than 90% of the population lived in the
countryside farming. Although the ones that lived in the towns or the remnants of the cities
would stay closely connected with Agriculture. First, the towns were so small that the
countryside was not too far away. Second, the people that lived in those small towns also had
their livestock and gardens. The small plot of land surrounding a house would have contained a
garden to grow as many foods as possible, including onions, rashes, peas, and beans. The
economy and work in the Carolingian depended fully on Agriculture. If anything affected the
cropping and harvesting, then it could lead to a family starving for that year. Therefore, the
farmers constantly worked on their techniques to maximize their agriculture.
These farming techniques varied according to the region fields were either square or
stripped. In the northern region, the soil was heavy, so strip fields worked better, which was
more beneficial after the fourth century CE when the weather became wetter. The square fields
worked well in the southern regions of Europe which consisted of the solid lighter and easy-to-
scratch plow. The way they were with a few pointed sticks that were either pushed and dragged
by a human, animal, or a tractor. As the years went on, the plowing process was difficult and the
labor was intensive this was when expanded on new types of development and came to realize
that livestock was a great work of transportation, in the Roman Period. This was when they are
using oxen because there were cheaper than horses, could be kept by grazing on pastureland,
and when past their prime could be eaten. Oxen were easier to yoke than horses. Even though
the horses were more expensive they could do the job 50% faster than an ox and can
accomplish the same amount of work in less time. However, they stayed with oxen since they
were more beneficial to them, instead of finding ways to alleviate the work and labor.
Once plowing was completed and the soil was ready for planting another crucial part of
agriculture was crop rotation. Much of Europe traditionally followed a two-field rotation in
which half the land was planted with a crop and the other half was left to the fellow to recover
for one season. Then next season the fields would switch this type of rotation was very useful
in the Carolingian era. However, they used a three-field rotation instead of two the one field
was tilled and the two were left fallow. This would help if the fertility of the land was low or
where arable land was plentiful. When using the three-rotation became very beneficial to the
Carolingian era because it increased their land under cultivation by approximately 16% (665 of
available land planted instead of 50%). For example, A winter crop such as rye or wheat was
planted on the first third, a spring crop such as oats or barley was planted on the second third,
and the last was left fallow. Another advantage of having the three-field rotation was that it
increased the spring crop of oats, which was necessary for the horses being worked. The
techniques that they used helped increase their farm produce.
10/17/23, 9:38 PM
Essay Medieval
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To further understand how precisely the Charlemagne’s estates (Ca. 800) operated it was
broken down. “Of farm produce: old spelt from last year, 90 baskets which can be made into
450 weight of flour, and 100 measures of barley. From the present year, 110 baskets of spelt, of
which 60 baskets had been planted, but the rest we found, 100 measures of wheat, 60 sown,
the rest we found, 98 measures of rye all sown, 1800 measures of barley, 1,100 sown, the rest
we found; 430 measures of oats; 1 measure of beans; 12 measures of peas. At 5 mills were
found 800 measures of small size. At 4 breweries, 650 measures of small size, 240 given to
clergymen, the rest we found. At 2 bridges, 60 measures of salt and 2 shillings, At 4 gardens, 11
shillings. Also, honey 3 measures; about 1 measure of butter; lard, from last year 10 sides; new
sides,200, with fragments and fats; cheese from the present year,43 weights”. As time went on,
the intense and complicated work and labor become more adherent and valued.
In conclusion, these two sources showed that living and labor life during this time was
heavily influenced by agriculture. As a result of this, I believe they were motivated each day to
find new ways to change the output and flow of their work. The daily life in agriculture labor
was very intense, which lead to new advancements that would change how labor would
operate. The most important aspect that I believe in when performing such an exhausting task
is to remember everything you do is for the Lord. As stated in Colossians 3;17, “And whatever
you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesu, giving thanks to God the
Father through him”.
