Category Archives: Medieval cycle of life

Life in the monastery

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Ruth

Having traced the major ways that children transitioned into adult life in the Middle Ages, I’ll describe briefly what it was like to live and grow old in each of these life pathways. Since I was just talking about becoming … Continue reading →

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Monastic vows

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Ruth

Entering the monastic life began with a year of living as a novice. Novices lived in separate quarters and although they participated in prayers and services, they received instruction in the community’s customs and sign language. Novice-masters expected to do … Continue reading →

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Why would any teenager take monastic vows?

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Ruth

As described in a previous post, in the early Middle Ages, children could be dedicated to the church around the same age that their peers entered school or began professional training. They were not forced to take vows when they … Continue reading →

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Becoming a knight

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Ruth

Teenage boys who were in training to become knights crossed into adulthood with the ceremony of dubbing. There were squires who never became full knights, or who remained squires well through their 20s. This would be the case if their … Continue reading →

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Notes on university life

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Ruth

*Copying the guilds, which had developed special “livery” robes for their members to wear on parade, lecturers and masters (graduates) began to wear a uniform robe and hat based on the fashion of the times. Many lecturers were monks, so … Continue reading →

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Living at a college

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Ruth

“Colleges” as divisions within the university came about as students faced problems in getting good housing. Students could arrive for university studies as young as 14 or 15. Medieval rich people often donated money at death to found some kind … Continue reading →

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Beginning university

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Ruth

Very few medieval schoolboys were destined to continue to university, but some did. University was preparation for only a few careers: professor, lawyer, doctor, theologian, dropout. Dropouts tended to become tutors, stand-up comedians, magicians and alchemists. The first university was … Continue reading →

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Entering a guild

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Ruth

Boys entered the world of men most often by passing exams to become full guild members in their craft. They had spent their apprentice years serving in the shop, first with menial chores, and gradually with more skilled work. In … Continue reading →

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Planning for an average wedding

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Ruth

It’s the late 13th century and you’re a prosperous cooper in a mid-sized town in Flanders. Your daughter, age 17, is getting married in the spring, and you need to put on a feast for 100. You live in/above your … Continue reading →

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A wedding in Italy

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Ruth

Weddings in medieval Italy were a little bit different. The betrothal was a much bigger deal in Italy than in Northern Europe. The bride’s family prepared a lavish feast at their home. The bride’s male relatives met the groom and … Continue reading →

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