Castle
kids
Children in a castle |
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Children were
very important to noble families since they would
inherit their parents' estate and carry on the family
name.
The kind of
upbringing a child had would depend on the class of
family it came from. |
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Earlier in the Middle
Ages, children from poor families would not have learned how to
read or write. Older peasants could not read and often could not
afford to send their children to school, so they would never
learn.
At a young age, they would become the apprentice of a tradesman
(like a carpenter or blacksmith) in order to learn his craft.
Later on, trade guilds began to request that any apprentices
should be able to read and write. More peasants began to send
their children to school.
Other people sometimes brought up the children of wealthy
families. For instance, the sons of knights occasionally lived
in the Lord's castle. There they would learn to become knights
themselves. Usually, children would not leave home until the age
of 10 or 12.
At first, children would be educated at home or in a monastery.
During the Middle Ages, schools began to appear in cities such
as London and later on wealthy city children may have been sent
there.
Noble girls, and sometimes boys too, could be educated in
nunneries. There, nuns would teach them how to read, write and
say their prayers. Girls from wealthy families also learned how
to do needlework and spinning, which were considered useful
skills for marriage.
 The
hobbies that children chose were different according to their
gender. Girls would learn to help their mothers in the home
while boys would watch their fathers work.
The games children would play were quite similar to now. Girls
would play with things like rag dolls and boys would enjoy
activities that were more physical. These would include shooting
a bow and arrow and wrestling.
They did not have basic things such as electricity so did not
have some of the toys we have today. However, they would still
play with balls and hoops. Tag, or chase, was also popular with
medieval children and these are games you might still play
today.
 The
kind of future a medieval child had would depend on their class
and gender.
Peasant boys would stay as an apprentice for several years
before becoming a journeyman. Then, he could be paid for the
work he did and eventually become a true craftsman.
Peasant girls usually received very little education, if any at
all. They would marry at a young age and their focus would be on
family life.
Educated upper class boys had more choices. They could become a
squire, follow the example of their fathers or become scholars.
Boys who chose to be scholar were often the younger sons of
noble families. They would be raised by monks and in many cases
considered the property of the church. This practice was
outlawed during the Middle Ages but continued long afterwards.
Sometimes upper class girls who had been educated in a nunnery
would choose to become nuns themselves. However, most would
prepare for marriage and the duties of running a noble
household. |
Other great pages to visit in "Life
in a castle" are:
Food in the castle, More
food at the castle, Drinks, Livestock, Heating and
Lighting, Entertainment and Recreation, Attack,
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