jdfa14-+Everyday+for+the+People+of+the+Renaissance

__Peasants__ Peasants were forced to live lives of poverty and abuse as they had nothing to rise themselves out of their sad state. Most of their time was spent working on the farms or tending to the animals that they cared for. Their meals consisted of bread made from cheap grain such as rye or barely with cheese. Rarely if ever did the poor experience meat and if they did it was only for a special occasion. They were also know for being very joyful and fun when the chance was given to them. Most were uneducated and did not even know how to spell their own name. If they received any education it was from going to Church and learning about their morals and god. Peasants went to church regularly more of a social activity than to listen to a preacher or to read the bible.

__Middle Class__ The Middle Class or Merchant class started when the black plaque came to Europe. When all of the peasants began to die, workers with certain skills started to receive payment for their trade. Eventually some were able to rise up from the lower class and enter the merchant class. Most men in the Middle Class owned land and had a respectable well paying business that run on or off that property. They worked to grow and build their business and many aspired of being nobility one day. The Middle Class' meal usually consisted of a game hen, bread and wine. This menu was consistent throughout all of Europe as the ingredients were widespread and abundant. Education became more common as time progressed and more people began to learn maths, sciences and histories. While the education would limited for the Merchant class it was more than what most received. If a child was a son or daughter of a banker they would need to know how to do the calculations that accompany being a banker.

__Nobles__ Nobles were the highest of the Renaissance class system, usually they had inherited their wealth from a family member or had married to receive a title of Sir or Lady. Most of the time these Nobles had a say in the government or even were in a political office. A new focus started to shine on education in the higher classes. It became very important that one could read and write for personal and for business use. Also a new philosophy of diplomacy came where spies and diplomats were used instead of just declaring war. This encouraged peaceful discussions instead of war, however, to have these discussions letters must be sent since meetings was inconvenient at the time. To write these letters, a nobleman must be literate to talk to his enemy of ally. Income came from the vast land that the Nobles rented out to peasants and had them work. While they paid for working on the land, peasants were also responsible for giving some of their crop to the Noblemen who owned the land. Meals were much the same as the middle class just of higher quality. The breads were more refined, meat fresher and wines better. Once the nobles had finished their meal the scraps were usually given to the beggars and peasants outside of the residence.



Sources

http://www.renaissance-spell.com/Renaissance-Life.html

http://www.erasofelegance.com/history/renaissancelife.html

http://www.renaissanceactor.com/peasantlife.html

http://www.utahmysteryparty.com/185_renaissance-clothing-2.jpg

http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/images/holbeingisze.jpg