Peasant conscription in the Middle Ages and the Three Estates model

by Onedirection32

So according to the Three Estates model, the clergy is supposed to pray, the nobles are supposed to fight (and protect everyone), and peasants are supposed to work. If this was true, how did medieval kingdoms justify mass peasant levies or conscription? Was this simply not the ideal, or did kingdoms try to justify their actions in conscripting peasants? Or was the Three Estates model not applicable to this period?

J-Force

If this was true

Well there's the problem. The "Three Estates" model had very little basis in reality. You can learn more about the actual state of affairs from the FAQ on feudalism.