Childhood in medieval England

In medieval England, according to common law, childhood ranged from the birth of a child until he or she reached the age of 12.

In Medieval England the first year of life was one of the most dangerous, with as many as 50 percent of children succumbing to fatal illness.

Although according to canon law at the age of twelve girls could marry, this was relatively uncommon unless the child was an heiress or belonged to a family of noble birth.

Peasant children at this age stayed at home and continued to learn and develop domestic skills and husbandry.

The end of childhood and entrance into adolescence was marked by leaving home and moving to the house of the employer (or master), entering a university or into church service.