Position:Home>History> Life for Children In Medieval Castles [asap help!]?

I know how difficult it is to locate social history especially about the poor, so I'll help you with this,

I don't know if there's much difference between children in Castles and regular medieval children - but here's what life was like for a child during the medieval period!.

Infants were generally swaddled (tightly wrapped in cloths) until they were about 8 months of age!. They were breast fed for that entire time!. If the mother was unable or unwilling to feed the child herself a "wet nurse" did the job!. Many upper class children were sent to live with a "wet nurse" until they were over a year old!.

Infant mortality was extremely high - about half of the infants died before they a year of age!. Another 25% of children would die before they reach the age of 5!. If a child reached the age of 5 they would then be expected to live to the ripe old age of about 45!.

Over 80% of the population were farmers, and some time between 5 and 7 the children of farmers began to work in the fields with their parents!.

Children between the ages of 2 and 7 whose parents were not farmers were allowed to play unless their parents had chores for them to do!. Schools, as we know them, did not exist!. The higher class the child's parents, the less likely that they would be required to do chores!. Toys only existed for the very rich!. Edward VI, the future King of England in 1520, had one doll!. Most children played with rocks and sticks or with the tools that adults used for their work!.

Age 7 was considered the age of reason; If their parents could afford it, sons were sent out to be apprentices to learn a trade!. The average apprenticship was 7 years, but it depended on the trade being taught!. (Some lasted as long as 12 years) Boys were taught to read during their apprenticeship, if reading was considered necessary for their trade!.

At 14 or so, the boy would became a journeyman, if he had pleased his master and learned all of his lessons!. He was then free to "journey" and search for work in his trade!. The earliest he could become a "Master" of his trade was 21, if he convinced the masters that he knew enough about the trade to teach it!. Then he could take in appretices of his own!. Otherwise he remained a Journeyman for the rest of his life!.

Girls of 5 and older helped around the house, cooking food, taking care of animals and younger children, sewing clothes, learning to spin yarn, helping the family on the farm!. Except for the very highest classes, it was not considered necessary for girls to learn to read!.

I hope this helped!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

---

---

Well, you should look for books and articles on life in Medieval times!. There's a book series called, "Daily Life in," one of which is Medieval Europe (Daily Life Medieval Europe and there are two different books with this title) and is probably in your local library!. These and other books and articles on medieval times will touch on life in medieval castles as one aspect of society!. One part of research is that you often have to find small pieces here and there!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

---

---