The myth of medieval childhood

8 insights saved from this article by @relationships

@relationships· Family & Friendship
Medieval thinkers considered early fetuses alive but soulless, so early abortion was not homicide or punishable at common law.
@relationships· Family & Friendship
The Crown banned football to force boys into archery practice, but medieval players widely ignored the bans.
@relationships· Family & Friendship
Feeding one medieval child consumed about 15 percent of average income, while parents often supported children into adulthood.
@relationships· Family & Friendship
At thirteen or fourteen, medieval children entered apprenticeships or service, and parents generally paid for their training.
@relationships· Family & Friendship
Despite high mortality, the median English child grew up with two parents in their thirties or forties and one sibling.
@relationships· Family & Friendship
In medieval England, about 25 percent of children died in their first year, and another 15 percent by age ten.
@relationships· Family & Friendship
Medieval sources record parents and children crying at reunions and sharing affectionate play.
@relationships· Family & Friendship
Most medieval families had only three or four children, partly because couples generally married in their mid or late twenties.

Keep what you found in The myth of medieval childhood

A free account saves any of these cards to your Collection, and Korva resurfaces them so you actually remember.