Probate records reveal medieval English more affluent than today's poor

Probate records have revealed the poorest residents of England in the Middle Ages were nevertheless significantly wealthier than the world's lowest-income individuals today.

The wills and probate documents allowed a glimpse into life in the 1300s, with tithes and papers recovered from manor houses also playing a part in painting a picture of the days of knights and ladies.

Making a will, it would seem, offers more than the chance to ensure assets and estate administration are managed according to a person's wishes, as the information shows per capita income was $1,000 (£634) by current standards, significantly more than that of today's poorest individuals.

Data from the World Bank shows last year's figures for some of the world's lowest income people stood at $700 in Ghana, $300 in Ethiopia and just $150 in Burundi, the Guardian reports.

Research leader Professor Stephen Broadberry of the University of Warwick notes English people living in the Middle Ages would have been wealthy enough to afford a varied diet including meat, grains and dairy.

Published by Rose Orlik