"This is a history of children in England from Anglo-Saxon times to the sixteenth century - the first of its kind." "Starting at birth, it shows how they were named and baptised, and traces the significance of birthdays and ages. This leads to an account of family life, including upbringing, food, clothes, sleep and the plight of the poor. The misfortunes of childhood are chronicled, from disablement, abuse, and accidents to illness, death, and beliefs about children in the afterlife."--BOOK JACKET.