• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • About
    • Newsletter Sign-Up
    • Privacy Policy
  • Romance
    • Borderland Ladies
    • Borderland Rebels
    • The London School for Ladies
    • Wicked Earls
    • Highland Passions
    • Novellas
    • Anthologies
    • Heart of the Highlands
    • Mercenary Maidens
  • Fiction
    • Historical Fiction
  • Social Icons - Top Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
Madeline Martin

Madeline Martin

Heating Up History

  • The Borderlands
    • Borderland Ladies
      • Character Profiles
        • Anice’s Profile
        • Catriona’s Profile
        • Ella’s Profile
        • Leila’s Profile
        • Marin’s Profile
      • History
      • Short Stories
        • Bernard’s Story
        • Drake’s Story
        • Geordie’s History
        • Isla’s Story
        • Nan’s Story
        • Peter’s Story
        • William’s Story
    • Borderland Rebels
  • Blog
  • Contact

Old School Thoughts on Growing Up Fast

Kids in history had it hard. There were no Gerber puffs to melt in gummy mouths, no morning cartoons on Saturday morning to entertain them or gobs of stuffed animals to keep them warm at night. Modern conveniences aside, they actually didn’t have it nearly as bad as some people like to think. Listed below are the top three common ideas people have on children in history and the truth behind them:

 

1. Most children didn’t live past infancy.

In truth, only about 30% of children died before the age of 5 and 40% before the age of 15. While 40% seems like a large percentage, bear in mind that the life expectancy from the medieval days through the 1600’s was approximately 30. So, if one lived to 15, they had already met half their life expectancy. When you consider their lack of antibacterial cleansers, inability to vaccinate and the primitive construction on their cribs and walkers, the fact that 70% survived past the age of 5 is nothing short of a miracle.  Or maybe we’re a little too overprotective these days… (don’t worry, I’m not going there)

                      

2. Children were subjected to unfair labor.

At age 7 or so, middle class children were usually assigned chores to perform. This was nothing they could not handle and usually entailed planting seeds or helping to feed livestock.  Without the ability to pay workers to assist them in their endeavors, middle class families relied on their children to assist with their livelihood, but the childhood tasks were certainly not anything greater than a child could perform.

If one was wealthy enough to be above middle class, but unable afford a tutor, their sons were sent to school at the age of 7. School was not easy and the boys were expected to attend from 6AM – 7PM six times a week. And don’t think the lazy days summer being off or all those teacher planning holidays – that is a thing of today.  Those boys went to school all summer and through most holidays.  Parents, feel free to let your children read this paragraph and bask in the appreciation of today’s light learning schedule.  😉

3.  Children were married off young.

What is considered a child in today’s society was not considered a child in history.  As stated previously, the life expectancy for those in the medieval to 1600’s was 30, so when one reached the age of 15, that was already midlife.  Can you imagine what a 15 year olds mid life crisis would look like?  *shudder*

I digress – girls were wed as early as 12 (so long as they were menstruating) and boys were as young as 14. These ages were not typical, but were as low as was considered appropriate.  By age 12, a girl would already know how to run a household and by age 14, a boy would already be employed.

So, on a completely narcissistic note: the most shocking discovery I made while doing the background legwork for this article was discovering the average life expectancy back then.  I’m considered relatively young by today’s standards, however, If I lived in the 1600’s, I’d be a year over my life expectancy and probably knocking at death’s door.  Scary thought…and a lil depressing if I’m being wholly honest.  But since we aren’t living back then, ya’ll are stuck with me for the next forty years or so.  MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

’til next time…

Share

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Related Posts

  • Dying to be Beautiful

    Dying to be Beautiful

  • The Execution of Justice

    The Execution of Justice

  • History, Books and Wine Podcast

Filed Under: Interesting History Tagged With: children in history, history of childhood, inventions for children

Footer - Subscription Widget

Subscribe to Madeline’s Newsletter

Want a free book? Sign up for my newsletter! You'll be the first to know about sales, releases, and other book news!

Privacy Policy

The information you provide on this form will only be used to provide you with updates and personalized marketing. By signing up for this newsletter, you acknowledge that I may send you e-mail.

Footer

Let’s Connect

madelinemmartin

👩🏻‍💻USA Today Bestselling author of #historicalromance, mother of minions, watcher of cat videos, drinker of wine, poster of pics

When the heart on the back of your cat’s neck le When the heart on the back of your cat’s neck lets you know they love you 😻
I’m beyond excited to share my gorgeous new cove I’m beyond excited to share my gorgeous new cover for The Last Bookshop in London - a WWII Historical Fiction

The art team at @hanoversquarepress did such a gorgeous job on this cover! I love it so much!!! 

Inspired by the true World War II history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz, The Last Bookshop in London is a timeless story of wartime loss, love and the enduring power of literature.

August 1939: London is dismal under the weight of impending war with Germany as Hitler’s forces continue to sweep across Europe. Into this uncertain maelstrom steps Grace Bennett, young and ready for a fresh start in the bustling city streets she’s always dreamed of—and miles away from her troubled past in the countryside.

With aspirations of working at a department store, Grace never imagined she’d wind up employed at Primrose Hill, an offbeat bookshop nestled in the heart of the city—after all, she’s never been much of a reader. Overwhelmed with organizing the cluttered store, she doesn’t have time to read the books she sells. But when one is gifted to her, what starts as an obligation becomes a passion that draws her into the incredible world of literature.

As the Blitz rains down bombs on the city night after night, a devastating attack leaves the libraries and shops of London’s literary center in ruins. Miraculously, Grace’s bookshop survives the firestorm. Through blackouts and air raids, Grace continues running the shop, discovering a newfound comfort in the power of words and storytelling that unites her community in ways she never imagined—a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of war-torn London.

Link in bio!
Tomorrow is my official cover reveal for The Last Tomorrow is my official cover reveal for The Last Bookshop in London!! I'm so excited!! 😆
How to Tempt a Duke in Italian and Swedish - the l How to Tempt a Duke in Italian and Swedish - the latter just came in the mail! 😆 
I love how Harlequin Historical sends us copies of the translated versions of our books! It’s just such a cool thing to see and hold 🥰
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

  • Facebook
  • Facebook Group
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Amazon
  • BookBub
  • Goodreads
  • Email
  • Personal website

Copyright © 2021 · Isabelle Theme by Creative Her on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in