What did they do in free time in medieval times?

Answer 1

1st Answer:

The wealthy nobles often watched tournements faught by knights. They were once just fought for practice, but slowly developed into a sort of sporting event, as knights got richer.

2nd Answer:

I don't know how often people went to tournaments, but my guess is that it was not often. People who could afford it also hunted, sometimes with hawks, or with dogs, and this included both men and women. Anyone, rich or poor, could sing, and people gathered in places to do this. In fact Gerald of Wales said people of that country always sang when they got together, and not as they did in the rest of the world, with one voice, but in many voices, as many as there were people.

Some people loved reading. Henry I of England and his wife, Edith of Scotland, are both recorded to have loved reading.

Enough people loved reading poetry that Christine de Pizan was able to support her family by writing it.

Some enjoyed philosophical debate, and Christine de Pizan did this too, entering into a famous literary argument over the status of women in society.

Some people went on pilgrimages. Margery Kempe, a middle class medieval woman without wealth, traveled a good deal more than many people do today.

There were counts and kings who were also troubadours.

There were many different sports people played. Some of these must have been spectacular

Dancing was popular.

Some people went out and had a few drinks with their friends.

A few people spent extra time in church. Some of these may have been doing penance for the trouble they got into having a few drinks with their friends.

Theater was always important.

Some people composed music as a hobby. Hildegard of Bingen comes to mind.

There was a lot of story telling, and it could be done any time, any place.

A few people had nice gardens just for the enjoyment of it.

There are links below to related questions. People who were married would have romantic evenings or sex.