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. Of course, if you’re getting married outside on the church steps, you don’t want long personalized vows, a string of bridesmaids, and a tenor solo of “Endless Love.” Especially when umbrellas and … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Will you marry me?

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Ruth

By medieval theory, they did not make arranged marriages. Marriages were contracted only by consent. Well, basically. There are many reasons to consent. Some girls consented to marriage after being locked in their rooms for six months. Some girls consented … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Orphan children

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Ruth

Many medieval children became orphans, either full orphans or with only one lost 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Leave a comment

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: ale brewing and home medicine. All classes and types of girls below the aristocracy could expect to keep a distaff and … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Castles, Medieval cycle of life | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Tagged | Leave a comment