The Social Pyramid: 1. Laborer's Estate

Laborers
Many peasants had only a little land, or none, and depended on paid labor for others to survive. The income from such work could be very sporadic.
Also: Monks , etc, from houses worth less than 40 pounds, other clerks without advancement.
Income: £1 10s.-<£3


Clerk
Ful thredbare was his overeste courtepy;
For he hadde geten hym yet no benefice,
Ne was so worldly for to have office.
For hym was levere have at his beddes heed
Twenty bookes, clad in blak or reed,
Of aristotle and his philosophie,
Than robes riche, or fithele, or gay sautrie.