premise: The medieval period lasted from 1000 to 1500. It was preceded by the Dark Ages. Many towns were formed across Europe during this period as trade and populations increased. Kings ruled and with the leaders of the church they decided state affairs. Most people lived in the countryside and worked on the land. They gave a share of their produce to the local lord in return for protection and as rent. They had to work very hard and for much of their lives lived in abject poverty. Life expectancy for the commoner was much shorter than it is today. As a result of the expansion of trade coins became commonplace.
hypothesis: When a harvest failed or was poor the commoner risked starvation.