Husbandman facts for kids

A husbandman was a type of farmer in England during the Middle Ages and the early modern period. These farmers were often free tenants, meaning they had the right to farm land owned by someone else. Some husbandmen also owned small pieces of land themselves.

Their social status was generally below that of a yeoman. A yeoman was a more prosperous farmer who often owned more land. The word "husband" in "husbandman" means "master of the house" or "head of the household," not a married man.

Husbandmen were mostly involved in agriculture. This means they worked the land, grew crops, and raised animals. If someone had a higher social title, like a knight or a gentleman, they wouldn't be called a husbandman, even if they farmed. The term "husbandman" was used for farmers who didn't have these higher titles.

Sometimes, the term also referred to someone who practiced animal husbandry. This is the skill of raising and caring for farm animals. In modern language, you might call such a person a rancher.

What Does 'Husbandman' Mean?

The word husband in husbandman comes from Middle English huseband. This word itself came from Old English hūsbōnda.

It has roots in Old Norse hūsbōndi. This Norse word combines hūs, meaning "house," with bōndi or būandi. The second part means "to dwell" or "to live." So, a husbandman was originally someone who was the "householder" or "master of the house."

The verb "to husband" originally meant "to till" or "to cultivate" land. This shows the strong connection between the term and farming.