Category Archives: Medieval cycle of life

Children as servants

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ruth

Medieval children who attended school were the lucky ones with stable families and upwardly mobile futures. Even boys who later became apprentices usually went to enough school to learn to read, write and do basic math; sometimes school was a … Continue reading →

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Grammar School

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Ruth

The next step of medieval school was Grammar School. Its purpose was to teach students to understand the Latin words they had learned to “read” in primary school. Grammar school was much more like a real school; when they were … Continue reading →

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Starting school

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Ruth

Age 7 marked the end of infancy in most medieval societies. A girl’s life did not change radically, since she had already been learning some of her mother’s skills. Most girls did not learn to read; it was considered a … Continue reading →

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Toys

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Ruth

Medieval babies didn’t have much special equipment beyond a cradle, but some wealthy families had something like a modern “walker” for older babies to toddle around in. There’s also some evidence for baby bonnets with extra padding, intended to cushion … Continue reading →

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Baby food

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Ruth

Medieval babies had a very bland diet. Of course, the youngest infants lived on breastmilk, but it was rare for a wealthy woman to nurse her own baby. Families who could afford to hire a wet nurse did so, and … Continue reading →

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Christening and naming

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Ruth

Baptism was called “christening” because it brought the child (or adult) formally into the Christian church, perhaps also bringing the spirit of Christ into the child’s heart. It also gave the child his official Christian name. For an infant born … Continue reading →

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Christening

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Ruth

Christening (baptizing) a baby was the important first stage of medieval life. If the baby looked sickly, it was done immediately, in case the infant died. For a healthy baby, the ceremony waited a week, but was usually done within … Continue reading →

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Birth and swaddling

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Ruth

Being born alive was the first significant achievement for a medieval person. This event happened at home and with only women in attendance. Medieval doctors had nothing to do with birth, any more than your dentist will read a chest … Continue reading →

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