They were raised to respect and obey their parents. Infant mortality was high during the Elizabethan era so the children of the family were cherished. They were given toys to play with - dolls, toy soldiers, hobby horses and the like. Wealthy children were taught good manners and would be punished, boys and girls, for any forms of bad behaviour. Middle and lower class families usually kept their children at home, but employed them at an early age in business or home duties. Boys were the only children permitted to attend school. The girls stayed at home and learned to cook, and sew. The boys learned mostly about the classical arts, (Childhood …show more content…
Until the age of about seven, sons of noble families would receive training in manners and basic literacy from their mothers or other female relatives. Upon reaching seven years of age, a boy would be sent to the castle, great house or other estate of another noble family. This would match the age at which apprenticeships or servants' employment would be entered into by young males from lower social classes. A young boy served as a page for about seven years, running messages, serving, cleaning clothing and weapons, and learning the basics of combat, (Occupation and Jobs, 2017). He might be required to arm or dress the lord to whom he had been sent by his own family. Personal service of this nature was not considered as demeaning, in the context of shared noble status by page and lord. It was seen rather as a form of education in return for labour. While a page did not receive reimbursement other than clothing, accommodation and food, he could be rewarded for an exceptional act of