Medieval ChildrenWhat was childhood like for medieval boys and girls in England? How were children named and brought up, what hazards faced them, what games did they play, and how were they prepared for adulthood? This richly detailed book provides for the first time a complete history of childhood in England from about the year 1000 to the sixteenth century. Leading medieval historian Nicholas Orme draws together a vast range of sources and disciplines--history, literature, religion, and art--to create a picture of medieval childhood more comprehensive than ever before. Beginning with pregnancy and childbirth, Orme explores the succeeding stages of a child's growth to adulthood. He discusses baptism, the significance of birthdays and ages, and family life, including upbringing, food, clothes, sleep, and the plight of the poor. He also chronicles the misfortunes of childhood, from disablement, abuse, and accidents to illness and death. In a fascinating review of the special culture of children, the author describes their rhymes, toys, and games; their religion and relationship to the Church; and their learning to read the literature for children. The final chapter of the book explains how adolescents grew up and entered the adult world. In this vivid recreation of childhood in the middle ages, Orme underscores the importance medieval society attached to childhood. Childhood was clearly regarded as a distinct cultural period in life, and children were considered both special and different from adults. |
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Abbey Acta Sanctorum Adam of Usk adolescents adults alphabet baby baptism basic prayers Bevis of Hampton birth bishop Bodleian Library born boys Canterbury Tales Cathedral Caxton chil child childhood Christ christening Christian church clergy clerk clothes College Councils and Synods daughter early Edward EETS English Exeter Exeter Cathedral father fifteenth century friar girls godparents Henry Henry VIII Horman household Ibid infants John king knight lady late later middle ages Latin letters lived London marriage Mary medieval England mentioned middle ages mother names Orme Oxford parents parish play poem priest primer pupils records religious rhymes Richard royal saints servants seven similar sixteenth Society sometimes songs status story survive teach thirteenth century Thomas toys Tudor twelfth century verse Virgin vols Walter of Bibbesworth wife William William of Norwich Winchester College women words writers young youth