Category Archives: Medieval cycle of life

With this ring, I thee wed!

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Ruth

The medieval wedding ceremony itself was very simple. First, the priest had to ask his legal questions. Were they both of age? (Legal marriage age varied with place and time.) Were they legally free to marry–that is, was either already … Continue reading →

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Wedding on the church steps

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Ruth

The simplest medieval wedding was the informal private marriage, but it was not recommended. All that was truly required was that the couple must say to each other “I take you as my wife” and “I take you as my … Continue reading →

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Will you marry me?

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Ruth

In medieval Europe, they believed in men and women choosing freely whom to marry. Among the royalty and aristocracy, since marriage was connected to property and government, marriages were basically arranged. But for the rest of medieval European society, marriages … Continue reading →

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Dowries

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Ruth

Medieval children transitioned into adulthood with growing responsibility in their profession or with marriage. Girls (as always) married earlier, so we’ll start with marriage from the girl’s point of view. Aristocratic girls could be betrothed or married at very young … Continue reading →

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Orphan children

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Ruth

Many medieval children became orphans, either full orphans or with only one parent. Ironically, becoming an orphan was less of a tragedy for children who were not going to inherit property. Children who already lived in poverty became wards of … Continue reading →

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Medieval girls

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Ruth

Meanwhile, what were medieval girls learning? Mostly fabric arts: spinning and sewing. Next to those chief occupations, herbal arts: home medicine and making ale. All classes and types of girls below the aristocracy could expect to keep a distaff and … Continue reading →

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Kids’ war games

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Ruth

In medieval wars, the leaders and chief actors were knights, whose children were all in formal knighthood training. But there were always large parties of common men who used bows and spears; at times, their actions were more important than … Continue reading →

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Boy knights

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Ruth

Medieval children born into land-owning (that is, aristocratic) families had a specific career future to prepare for. Until the late Middle Ages, they were less likely to go to school than their non-aristocratic age peers. In the early Middle Ages, … Continue reading →

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Children in the church

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Ruth

Medieval society kept noble children and common children strictly apart except in one place: the monastery. There, rich and poor children alike could be dedicated to God from a young age. Until the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215, children as … Continue reading →

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Learning a trade

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Ruth

Many medieval boys who learned basic reading and simple arithmetic soon left school to begin learning a trade. Entry into a trade was controlled by the local guild, forerunner of labor unions. Parents paid a significant fee to the craftsman … Continue reading →

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