Beowulf Text
Most noble children were educated in the Middle Ages. While they did not go to a school, many young boys were sent off to another nobleman’s home to learn a specific skill. If children remained at home, they were usually taught by a religious monk. They were taught to read and write in Latin. Boys were taught archery and combat while girls learned how to sew. Boys and girls learned how to play chess and how to dance. Many noble children learned to play a musical instrument and some boys even learned how to write music. Some musical instruments played were the lute, the flute, and the harp.
By the 13th century, village schools began to open up. To send their children to these schools, parents had to pay very high fees. Many poor families struggled to pay for schools so that their sons would have a better life by being educated. If a peasant child received any education, he or she was taught what mother knew. Children spent most of their time with their mothers.
Codex
In school, children would write on wax tablets using a stylus. Paper, which was invented in China around the 2nd century, was not made in Europe until the end of the 12th century. Since Latin was the language of educated people, children would study in Latin. The word “book” did not come into our language until later, so books were called manuscripts. A book was also called a codex. Books were usually written on parchment made from animal skins (click on the picture on the left to see a piece of parchment).
After school, noble children did play. Boys played with soldiers and girls played with dolls or poupees. They would play chess or backgammon. Balls were made with leather and straw and children would play games with these toys.
Lute
English looked very different before the 11th century. When Adele’s father went to England in 1066, he took his language–French–with him. The people living in England needed to learn French in order to speak with the new king. As a result, many English words came out of French. Many of our words used for cooking and food come from French (click on the picture towards the top of the page to see what English used to look like).
Around the 11th century, universities were created. Some of the oldest universities are La Sorbonne in Paris and Oxford in England.
Tablet & Stylus
Prayer Book
