Ever wondered about the phrase “whipping boy”? Punishments were harsh in
schools with naughty children often being beaten. Rich boys could afford to pay
another boy to receive any punishment, so if the rich boy misbehaved, the
whipping boy was beaten. Education was generally for upper and middle class
boys who would learn Latin, Greek, Arithmetic and religion. Many Catholic
families refused to send their sons to school in Elizabeth’s reign because the
Protestant religion was taught. So Catholic boys would be taught at home by a
priest or private tutor. It was usual to attend school for six days a week and
the hours were long, often 6am to 5pm.
Education for girls concentrated on domestic topics because the only
“career” for girls was marriage. It was very important that girls learned how
to run a house and be skilled in all housewifely duties and the most important
lesson was to be obedient to their father and husband! That said, the royal
princesses received an excellent education and Elizabeth was skilled in both
Greek and Latin and considered it “fun” to translate from one language to the
other and then back again.
From being very young children were taught to respect their parents and
rise early to say prayers. Table manners were considered of prime importance
and they would also be instructed in the basics of reading and writing. Poor
boys might be taught how to read and write, but their school day would be short
because of the need for them to bring in money from a job.
Mantle of Malice, Book 3 in The Tudor Enigma will be published on 23rd February 2015.
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