Reasons for inequality among medieval peasants
R. H. Hilton
The stratification of the medieval peasantry cannot be attributed only to markets in land and agricultural products. division between free unfree holders family subsistence holdings inadequate smallholdings is found periods very low production for market. complex interplay availability, technical progress, inheritance endowment customs, demands rent tax resistance capacity peasants must also examined. relative strength these various factors changed considerably during period, especially 1300 1500 circa, when land:labour ratio shifted dramatically.
The Journal of Peasant Studies