Poverty through History

I'm in the middle of doing a research project of how the poor lived during the Medieval times until the Victorian ages. 
During the early Middle Ages poor people relied on Charity. Most rich believed that giving to the poor was a good thing and their Christian duty but the problem were most people was poor and they didn't know where to start.

The Peasants lives were harsh.  They were overworked,  over taxed,  and dirty.  They paid a high rent for both their house and the land. The houses they lived in were made of mud,  straw,  and manure.  They were hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

They had to take an oath of allegiance to the Lord. This meant the family had to pay high taxes and do all the physical labor.  To break this oath resulted in severe punishment and was often fatal.

Due to horrible sanitation conditions hygiene was impossible which made them Ill and caused danger.

What the Lord of the manor did not take the Catholic Church took in the form of high tithes. Often they did not have cash and needed to pay in produce.  The Catholic Church became wealthy off of the backs of the poor.

I will continue this series daily.  This is very interesting.