Archery |
Brewing |
Calligraphy & writing |
Combat |
Cooking |
Dance |
Etiquette |
Household life |
Medicine |
Music |
Needlework |
Playacting |
Religion |
Storytelling |
There was no concept of youth being
a carefree time of irresponsibility as now. The limitations of childhood
were recognised but children were expected to take on duties and responsibilities
appropriate to their abilities.Young noble children were sent away at
the age of about seven to serve as pages in other households - in the
hope that they would learn to be obedient and avoid being spoiled. |
Children had to stand in the presence of their elders and only sit if invited to do so. Sometimes they ate at table standing up: |
Most noble children received a quite
wide-ranging education, although boys were expected to learn more academic
subjects. Education was provided in the home by parents, chaplains or
other clerics, sometimes by a hired tutor. Skills such as archery and
combat were taught by the most proficient at exponents of them. Musical
abilities were nurtured as it was considered proper for noblemen and women
to be able to sing, play and dance. However, the need for recreation was
acknowledged and games, though often played by adults, were recognised
to be the especial domain of childhood, as demonstrated by Breughel in
his painting depicting them: |
St Nicholas' day was considered a special festival
for children and they often had great fun at Christmas time when the the
usual order of society was turned upside down. Adults often joined in
games such as "kayles" - |
Many toys needed skill and manual dexterity: whip-and-top,
cup-and-ball, diabolo etc. A variety of games needed little or no equipment
at all, such as "Last Couple in Hell"; "Tierce" and
"Hoodman Blind" which was originally a very rowdy game. |
Toys were few and often home-made. This lucky young
page has a both hobby horse and a windmill which he bears like a whirring
lance . |