This means that they are bound by law and custom to plough the fields of their masters, harvest the corn, gather it into barns, and thresh and winnow the grain; they must also mow and carry home the hay, cut and collect wood, and perform all manner of tasks of this kind.

In this quote, Jean Froissart, a medieval chronicler, describes the hard labor required from peasants during the Middle Ages. He outlines the extensive list of tasks that peasants were bound by law and custom to perform for their masters, such as ploughing the fields, harvesting the corn, and completing other agricultural duties. The quote emphasizes the subjugation of the peasant class, who were tied to the land and often had little freedom or opportunity to escape the grueling labor required for survival.

Froissart’s description of the peasant's responsibilities serves as a commentary on the feudal system, where laborers had to work the land for their lords in exchange for protection or shelter. The tasks mentioned, such as mowing, carrying hay, and collecting wood, were essential to sustaining both the peasant and the wider community. This labor was not only physically demanding but also constrained by social and legal systems that kept peasants in positions of dependency and limited mobility.

The quote highlights the rigid structure of the feudal system, where peasants had to perform various agricultural and domestic tasks without the freedom to choose their work or alter their circumstances. Their lives were dominated by the needs of their masters, and they were often required to work long hours in harsh conditions. This view of life reflects the social hierarchy of the time, where the vast majority of people were at the mercy of a small, ruling elite.

The origin of this quote lies in Froissart's writings, which chronicle events and social conditions in 14th-century Europe. Froissart is best known for his chronicles of the Hundred Years' War, but his work also provides insight into the lives of ordinary people, including the hardships faced by peasants. Through this quote, Froissart offers a vivid depiction of the labor that was the backbone of medieval agrarian societies, shedding light on the social and economic structures that defined everyday life for the majority of the population during his time.