Food was plentiful in summer around harvest time, but it had to be preserved for the rest of the year.
Cereals such as rye, could be kept in bins and made into a dark bread. Barley was used to make weak beer which was drunk by young and old alike, for many rivers were polluted.
Vegetables could be dug up for most of the year. Fish could be caught in rivers, but most people ate little meat.
