A History of the European Rural Life
Le Temps des paysans
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 04 Jun 2026 at 12:14 IST
About
The history of the European peasantry, which has undergone many upheavals over the centuries: from its rise in the Middle Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire, through the oppression of the nobility and the Church, to the struggles for freedom and modernization in the present era.
Cast
Catherine Ringer
as Self - Narrator (voice)
Miklós Attila Szőcs Boruss
as Self - Farmer
Massimo Montanari
as Self - Historian
Chris Wickham
as Self - Historian
Edith Peytremann
as Self - Archaeologist
Sheilagh Ogilvie
as Self - Historian
Jean-Pierre Devroey
as Self - Historian
Morgan Ody
as Self - Farmer
Olivier Savoy
as Self - Farmer
Tim Soens
as Self - Historian
Lyndal Roper
as Self - Historian
Antonio Onorati
as Self - Farmer
Carlo Ginzburg
as Self - Historian
Eugene Costello
as Self - Archaeologist
Esther Pascua Echegaray
as Self - Historian
Gérard Béaur
as Self - Historian
Laurent Brassart
as Self - Historian
Miguel Cabo Villaverde
as Self - Historian
Omar Bessaoud
as Self - Agroeconomist
Marie Savoy
as Self - Farmer
Episodes
Miniseries
The Beginning / The Lords, and Those Who Dig
By the 6th century, the disintegration of the Roman Empire was complete: no more state, no more big cities. The European peasantry was born. A change of scale. The great Roman commercial agriculture disappeared. These first peasants, freed from the weight of the State, taxes and the obligation to feed the Empire's major cities, produced only as much as they needed. Peasant communities were freer than ever. This golden age came to an end in the 8th century. The new warrior elites imposed a return to domination, taxes, and the invention of drudgery and serfdom. The Church took part in the reconquest, tracking down the old rural cults.
Rebellion and War / Revolutions
Around the year 1000, growth resumed in Europe. This was the product of the work of peasants, who were even more exploited and despised, especially by city dwellers who were making a comeback. The rise of commercial agriculture was based on cereals, the main source of profit for the ruling classes. The banks of the River Po and the coasts of the North Sea were drained to conquer new wheat lands. The destruction of these wetlands disrupted the peasant economy and led to catastrophic flooding, the effects of which are still felt today. In the 14th century, famine, war and plague put an end to growth. The era of the great anti-feudal revolts began, with their mystical and egalitarian overtones. From the French Jacquerie of 1358 to the German Peasants' War of 1525, all were drowned in blood.
Towards Freedom / The Immobile Peasant, the Moving Peasant
Peasants don't need to know. If they knew how to read or write, they could challenge the titles of the rulers and the authority of the Church, like the Italian miller Menocchio, declared a heretic and burned alive in 1600. Peasant knowledge was just as suspect. Peasant witches, often simple bonesetters, were hunted down, accused of worshipping Satan and burned by the thousands. On the threshold of modern times, in the name of progress and profitability, the dominant classes launched an offensive against the old village solidarities. England set the example by privatizing communal lands. By depriving farmers of an indispensable resource, they were condemned to disappear. France followed a different path. Still in the majority, its peasantry played a major and little-known role in the Revolution which, in 1789, put an end to a thousand years of feudal rule.
Against the Rest of the World / Peasant Masses
In the 19th century, Europe's farmers were finally free. But the Industrial Revolution and modernization precipitated their decline. Deserting the countryside, they left en masse for the cities. As the rural exodus gathered momentum, conservatives saw peasants as the embodiment of all traditional values. Reputed to be more obedient and hard-working than workers, they were the main cannon fodder of the First World War. Fascism and Nazism took this mystification to the extreme, invoking the eternal peasant as the guardian of soil and blood. But the real peasant is subject to the dictates of the state, technocrats and agronomists. Unaffected by political regimes, the steamroller of industrial agriculture has continued to advance ever since. Yet the peasants are still there, making other voices heard.
Where does A History of the European Rural Life rank today?
A History of the European Rural Life is #10000 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
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Watch A History of the European Rural Life Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Stream A History of the European Rural Life online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A well-rated documentary series originally produced in French and released in 2024, it's earned a solid 7.5/10 from 2 viewers worldwide.
About A History of the European Rural Life
The history of the European peasantry, which has undergone many upheavals over the centuries: from its rise in the Middle Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire, through the oppression of the nobility and the Church, to the struggles for freedom and modernization in the present era. Across 1 season and 4 episodes, originally airing on ARTE.
A History of the European Rural Life Cast and Characters
The cast features Catherine Ringer (as Self - Narrator (voice)), Miklós Attila Szőcs Boruss (as Self - Farmer), Massimo Montanari (as Self - Historian), Chris Wickham (as Self - Historian), and Edith Peytremann (as Self - Archaeologist). Their performances are a major reason A History of the European Rural Life has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch A History of the European Rural Life Online
On Bowood.TV you can watch A History of the European Rural Life free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.
▶ Watch A History of the European Rural Life NowWhy People Are Watching A History of the European Rural Life
There's a reason A History of the European Rural Life keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy French storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about A History of the European Rural Life
Where can I watch A History of the European Rural Life online for free?
You can watch A History of the European Rural Life online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does A History of the European Rural Life have?
A History of the European Rural Life has 4 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is A History of the European Rural Life good? What's the rating?
A History of the European Rural Life holds a 7.5/10 rating based on 2 reviews — well above average.
Who is in the cast of A History of the European Rural Life?
The main cast includes Catherine Ringer, Miklós Attila Szőcs Boruss, Massimo Montanari, and Chris Wickham, plus a strong supporting ensemble.
Is A History of the European Rural Life available in French?
Yes — A History of the European Rural Life was originally produced in French and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV. English subtitles are provided when available.
When was A History of the European Rural Life released?
A History of the European Rural Life first aired in 2024.
Do I need an account to watch A History of the European Rural Life on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch A History of the European Rural Life without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Similar Series You Might Like
If you enjoyed A History of the European Rural Life, check out Private Lives of the Monarchs, Countryfile, Surrealist Revolutions, Je danse autour du monde, and Histoire populaire des impôts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch A History of the European Rural Life for free?
You can watch A History of the European Rural Life online for free on Bowood.TV. All 4 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does A History of the European Rural Life have?
A History of the European Rural Life currently has 1 season and a total of 4 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is A History of the European Rural Life about?
The history of the European peasantry, which has undergone many upheavals over the centuries: from its rise in the Middle Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire, through the oppression of the nobility and the Church, to the struggles for freedom and modernization in the present era. It belongs to the Documentary genre.
In which language is A History of the European Rural Life originally available?
A History of the European Rural Life was originally produced in FR. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original FR audio. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was A History of the European Rural Life first released?
A History of the European Rural Life first premiered on April 23, 2024 (2024). The series has since concluded its run.
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