The main job of a medieval miller was to grind the grain into flour and make breads from that flour. Grain and wheat were mainly used for making breads for common people and those who grew these commodities took them to the medieval miller for grinding and paid certain amount for his services.

Are Millers thieves?

Status. In a traditional rural society, a miller is often wealthier than ordinary peasants, which can lead to jealousy. Millers are often accused of associating with thieves, and were targeted in bread riots at times of famine.

Is a miller a serf?

The rural miller was, in his origins, a serf, under the hand of the lord. This unfree status tainted the profession even after urban mills developed (early mills in towns were often built first by a local lord or bishop because of the large capital investment).

How much did people make in the Middle Ages?

Laborers who worked for pay earned about a penny per day for much of the Middle Ages. The source listed below places the maximum pay for laborers at two pounds per annum, with is about a penny and a half per day. The Middle Ages lasted 1000 years, and there was a lot of variation.

What was the role of the Miller in medieval times?

Mills were usually located on feudal estates and were rented to the miller for the year. The rent was usually paid in grain that the miller had earned though out the year. In conclusion, millers were a vital part of society and were key in making one of the staple foods of the medieval times.

What did millers do to get their pay?

In some reported cases, the millers were known for stealing their pay before they were paid so they got double the amount of grain. Their day started early, and they had all sorts of equipment to set up to grind the grain. The grinding stone, water wheel, and various gears, teeth and axles were very high-maintenance.

What was the wage of a labourer in medieval times?

The French livre, sou, and denier are equivalent to the pound. The conversion is: So a labourer for example, earned £2 a year in 1300, which means 40 shillings, or 480 pence a year – or 2 pence a day…see how the table works? It gets a bit meaningless higher up the social scale; an Earl might have between £500 and £3,000 for example.