The+miller+2

By Shelby Smith Jerry Ann Alwood

A[| miller] is somone who would grind wheat to make flour for bread during the medieval times. When a miller had to make payments they would often pay in money but other times they would pay with grain. honey, eggs, or any other produce. In medieval times miller's would often have a high social status in the local community. The miller had high social status becuase he met almost eveyone in the neighborhood regulary. Most families were farmers but there were some milers, blacksmiths and some were tavern owners. Peasant farmers were very important during medieval times becuase they had to produce all the food and they had to pay almost all of the taxes. The job for a mother would churn the butter when the daughter milked the cows, and the sons got to watch the lambs and the sheeps and the men had to do all the farming because without the men farming the farmers family would starve. There was an open kitchen in the common room that they used for cooking. They would often have meat but most of the time they had bread, porridge, stew, and they might also have season vegetable.



The Miller The miller was a stout churl, be it known, Hardy and big of brawn and big of bone; Which was well proved, for when he went on lam At wrestling, never failed he of the ram. He was a chunky fellow, broad of build; (5) He’d heave a door from hinges if he willed,

Or break it through, by running, with his head. His beard, as any sow or fox, was red, And broad it was as if it were a spade. Upon the coping of his nose he had (10) A wart, and thereon stood a tuft of hairs, Red as the bristles in an old sow’s ears; His nostrils they were black and very wide. A sword and buckler bore he by his side. His mouth was like a furnace door for size. (15) He was a jester and could poetize, But mostly all of sin and ribaldries. He could steal corn and full thrice charge his fees; And yet he had a thumb of gold, begad. A white coat and blue hood he wore, this lad. (20) A bagpipe he could blow well, be it known, And with that same he brought us out of town. Translation The Miller