Middle Ages

Male serfs worked in the fields most of the time. However, they were obligated to work part of the time for the lord of the manor. The lord would have other work for the serfs besides field work. This might include taking care of the lord's animals, cutting down trees for firewood, digging a well, and constructing or maintaining the lord's buildings and roads.

The male peasant would return home at sundown, after putting in ten or twelve hours of hard physical labor. The evening meal, which would usually be leftovers from lunch, would then be eaten. Following that, the family would retire for the evening.