Ample Leisure Time for Medieval Peasants?

For half of the demographic, sure

‘The Lovers,’ 1490–1500. Public domain through the Art Institute of Chicago.

The idea that medieval peasants enjoyed far more leisure time than we do isn’t inherently harmful to bring up. In our overworked capitalist society, I welcome challenges to the belief that it is historically normal or necessary for many of us to receive little time off and work long hours — and even then, still take work home.