Information on wardship

rosiroo · Oct 12, 2009

Hi all,

I'm trying to research into the practice of children being wards of the royal or noble families in medieval times, where parents would send their children to grow up at the royal court or the house of another noble family, for various reasons. I've posted this on the main boards but am having little response as yet.

This would be in the early modern period in Europe.

I'm having trouble finding anything on this, however, as any searches just bring up modern cases! Can anyone help?
Thanks!

Ariella · Oct 12, 2009

Nicholas Orme's book, From Childhood to Chivalry, may be helpful.

pdr · Oct 12, 2009

That's a huge topic.

Where and when and who?

Generally speaking the wealthy shipped their sons off to be educated in fighting and the knightly/courtly arts at another castle to strengthen ties and make new ones. Sort of like boarding school!

The girls weren't always shipped off, but went to learn how to run a household and make suitable matches.

In return the family expected to keep and educate boys and girls from other families.

angeliz2k · Oct 13, 2009

pdr said:
In return the family expected to keep and educate boys and girls from other families.

The theory being that parents would be too soft on their own children, correct?

pdr · Oct 13, 2009

Actually...

The theory being that parents would be too soft on their own children, correct?

I don't honestly think so. Spare the rod and spoil the child was universal. Other people's children were probably treated better then a parents' own because their death from carelessness might start a local war or cost a fortune in blood money.

The political connections were first importance, but for the boys, being sent to the 'best' knight to teach them weaponry, war and manners was important too.

Girls had to be sent to homes with a 'good' reputation, a good priest and many women to chaperone them.

lkp · Oct 13, 2009

In general, in the period I am most familiar with (medieval Spain), you would send your children off to a house of higher status. Nobles who sent their children to the royal court were giving their children an opportunity, but also giving the king what were effectively hostages for the good behaviour. The king would send his children out too --- at at last one point two princes were fostered by the archbishop of Toledo.

Dhuoda's Handbook for William is a wonderful text, written by a woman to her son who is being fostered by the Carolingian court in extremely dicey political circumstances.

rosiroo · Oct 13, 2009

pdr said:
Where and when and who?

Generally speaking the wealthy shipped their sons off to be educated in fighting and the knightly/courtly arts at another castle to strengthen ties and make new ones. Sort of like boarding school!

The girls weren't always shipped off, but went to learn how to run a household and make suitable matches.

In return the family expected to keep and educate boys and girls from other families.

That's exactly the practice I mean. I was looking for online info but looks like books will be the next stop.

rosiroo · Oct 13, 2009

lkp said:
In general, in the period I am most familiar with (medieval Spain), you would send your children off to a house of higher status. Nobles who sent their children to the royal court were giving their children an opportunity, but also giving the king what were effectively hostages for the good behaviour. The king would send his children out too --- at at last one point two princes were fostered by the archbishop of Toledo.

Dhuoda's Handbook for William is a wonderful text, written by a woman to her son who is being fostered by the Carolingian court in extremely dicey political circumstances.

Brilliant- thank you!

rosiroo · Oct 13, 2009

Ariella said:
Nicholas Orme's book, From Childhood to Chivalry, may be helpful.

Thank you

Information on wardship

rosiroo

Chasing the flow

Ariella

...

pdr

angeliz2k

never mind the shorty

pdr

lkp

rosiroo

Chasing the flow

rosiroo

Chasing the flow

rosiroo

Chasing the flow