Simple and basic life: Ernst lived 20 years as a Medieval man

For about twenty years, Ernst lived and worked in the Archeon theme park in Alphen aan de Rijn. As a cobbler, he taught the public about the austere and simple life of the Middle Ages. For him personally it was a period of reflection where he got to know the limits of life. There he became aware of what man can handle.

But even after his time in the Archeon, Ernst continued to take a critical look at modern life. No big house, fast car or luxury holiday for him. He is satisfied with a small apartment with second-hand furniture, travels by train and dresses strikingly but soberly. But as a ‘Medieval man’ he does believe in technology.

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Thanks to the modern breeding technology of our grain, the yield is many times greater than hundreds of years ago, says Ernst. “As a result, we can feed the world’s population much more reliably than before.” He is also not worried about a possible rise in sea levels. “Things are getting better. We are increasingly better able to deal with disasters,” said the pedigree optimist.

Gathering knowledge is the most important thing for Ernst and he prefers not to choose the easiest path. His life motto is therefore: “Why take it easy when you can make it difficult.” Because those who choose the difficult path gain more knowledge and therefore know more.

Boers sees people who see changes such as sustainability as a drop in the ocean as pessimists. He himself believes in the many drops that eventually make a bucket overflow. Those are the optimists who believe in a better world.