It depents of the medieval period and region.
For example, Chris Wickham's work about Early Middle Ages show that, when the peasants where independent and not under a Lord or a Bishop (or other expresions of higher control), they just worked the bare minimum to produce for their own survival and then fuck off to do other things they wanted to do. Of course, in moments of crisis they could die from not having enough production. But, in a practical sense, they where more free than us.
It depents of the medieval period and region. For example, Chris Wickham's work about Early Middle Ages show that, when the peasants where independent and not under a Lord or a Bishop (or other expresions of higher control), they just worked the bare minimum to produce for their own survival and then fuck off to do other things they wanted to do. Of course, in moments of crisis they could die from not having enough production. But, in a practical sense, they where more free than us.
On the other hand you have the "peasant's mode of production" but that's another (awesome!) discussion.
Have a nice day, comrade. And sorry for my bad english.