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Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Pray, Feast, Give

I’m often asked what medieval Christmases were like, which is a hard question to answer. Just as Christmas celebrations in 1815 were very different than our present-day festivities, the holidays in 953 vs. 1153 vs. 1353 were just different from each other. Early Christmas celebrations were marked by piety, prayer, and religious services. By the 10th century, Dec. 25th had become known as Christes Maesse. Feasting and gift giving were established customs, but our medieval counterparts still attended three masses on Christmas day.


And though the birth of a child was at the center of celebrations, children were not focus of holiday festivities as they are now.

In fact, aside from the rare “boy bishop,” children were seldom the center of anything medieval, leading many some historians to speculate that “childhood” didn’t exist in the Middle Ages and medieval parents didn’t bond with their children until they were fairly certain the child would reach adulthood.

The conclusion is not without merit. Estimates for child mortality rates in the Middle Ages are between 30 percent and 50 percent (compared to 4.38 percent in 2015 in the UK).  Additionally, some historians postulate the high rate of infant mortality was indicative of a lack of interest in a child’s welfare, the parents’ inability to provide proper care, or out-and-out infanticide.

One example often cited to support this theory about lack of interest is the statement made by William Marshal’s father made when he broke his treaty with King Stephen. William Marshal was a hostage in the king's court to guarantee the elder Marshal’s good behavior. “Do with him what you will,” the father allegedly said when reminded that his actions endangered his son. That Stephen didn’t hang the boy was considered a failing by his nobles.

But this example tells us more about the Marshal than it does about medieval childrearing. If parents didn’t care for their children, using a child as hostage to make parents behave is pointless. In fact, when Henry I (King Stephen’s predecessor) allowed his two granddaughters to be mutilated in a hostage situation, his daughter Juliane drew a crossbow and attempted to assassinate her father in revenge. (Does that sound like a mother who doesn’t care about her daughters?)

But I digress (a common habit). Getting back to Christmas celebrations... Children and adults received presents on 12th Night—the Feast of the Three Kings—in honor of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to Jesus. By the end of the Middle Ages, Protestants removed the saints' days from the calendar and our gift-giving tradition moved to Christmas.

Not to ignore 2000 years of tradition, I will give away a copy of ANAM CARA to one commentator on the blog. Merry Christmas.

Keena Kincaid writes historical romances in which passion, magic and treachery collide to create unforgettable stories. You can find out more about her books at: http://prairierosepublications.com





13 comments:

  1. This Middle history is one a fascination for me also. Thank you for adding to the information. When combing the research, there is so much that can be inferred, but unless one was there,is just that, inferrence. Still, it is the what ifs that make such great stories. Best to you as you continue this writing journey. Doris McCraw/Angela Raines-author

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  2. Hi, Doris. One of the best things about writing medieval romances is how much we don't know. There's a lot of room for play, depending upon your time period and characters. As an historian, though, I so wish we had more information available.

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  3. Keena,

    I'm interested in this period in history, too, and I've found really helpful information from "The Teaching Company" (The Great Courses) and Professor Dorsey Armstrong. She is also a King Arthur scholar. These dvd lecture series are an armchair historian's delight. All courses go on sale (70% off and more) at least once a year.

    http://www.thegreatcourses.com/
    http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/medieval-world.html

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    1. Hi, Kaye. Thanks for stopping by. I'm not familiar with Dorsey Armstrong. Is she closer to medieval literature vs. history? I know a lot of Arthurian scholars end up there. I started reading Barbara Hanawalt in grad school (she was on the required reading list for medievalists along with about 500 others) and really enjoy her scholarship. A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman is another good resource for the medieval world.

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  4. Keena,

    Dorsey Armstrong's lectures are history-based. I'll look into Barbara Hanawalt and Barbara Tuchman. Thanks. :-)

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  5. Keena, I didn't know this about the treatment of children, but it stands to reason since so many were used as bargaining tools. Very sad! We always think of parents automatically bonding with their children and wanting to give them the best of whatever they're able, but that obviously was not the case in these times. Very interesting stuff. Thanks so much for an informative post--I must confess, I don't know nearly as much as I wish I did about these times.
    Cheryl

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    1. To be fair, Cheryl, in many cases the children were well cared for within the household, their status as hostage not withstanding. The nobles holding the child would feed, clothe and educate the child and would come to care for the child as the King did William the Marshal.

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  6. It's fascinating to read all the factors in play when talking about the high infant mortality of the time. I suppose it makes sense: I imagine more people living marginal existence in Medieval times and so less energy/resources to spend on child-care. I've read that we didn't get our currant notions about childhood until Victorian times. Thank you for an interesting read.

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  7. Hi, Patti. I think the lack of antibiotics was the largest factor in childhood mortality. A small burn, scratch or even case of chicken pox could turn "foul" and lead to infection. Even then, people knew it wasn't the injury that killed people but the fever that followed.

    According to sources, medieval people recognized childhood as a separate stage from adulthood. Also, 21 was considered 'legal' adulthood when it came to inheritance issues, but our extended adolescence would have baffled them.

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  8. Keena such a insightful post. I have done a little research about Medieval times but very limited. As I recall it was mainly about how they used contraceptives back then, crocodile dung and such. After reading that I wondered how they managed to conceive at all. That and with all of the killing those of royal blood when this king or that was murdered and a child of his was to take the thrown, its a miracle any royals were left.

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    1. Hi, Barbara. Thanks for stopping by. What time period were you researching within the Middle Ages? Approximately 1000 years are lumped together under that umbrella term. What was very common in the 5th century was unheard by the 15th. If you're interested in women's health, The Trotula is kinda the medieval version of Our Bodies, OurSelves.

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  9. And Kaye was the winner of the drawing! Kaye, contact me at keenakincaidauthor@gmail.com and I'll get a book to you.

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  10. Keena,

    Well, how about that? I won. What a nice holiday season surprise. :-) Thank you.

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