A Day In The Life... Of A 10-Year-Old In Norman Times - Hands on History - BBC

Summary

In this lively and humorous transcript, a young page shares insights into life in Norman times, revealing the quirky realities of medieval training and daily routines. From sleeping starkers and enjoying bread and beer for breakfast to learning horsemanship and heraldry, the page dreams of becoming a knight one day. The script also highlights the unique roles of children, with men heading off to defend lands while women and pages stay behind. With a touch of humor and youthful enthusiasm, the transcript offers a fun glimpse into the life of a Norman page aspiring to become a knight.

Takeaways

• 😀 Norman children sleep without clothing, and their shirts are washed every Monday while tunics are washed on Easter.
• 😀 The smell of clothes can get a bit strong, as washing is infrequent.
• 😀 The speaker is a page who was sent to a castle at age 7 to train to be a knight.
• 😀 Breakfast typically consists of bread and beer, with children allowed only one pot of beer.
• 😀 Water is considered unsafe to drink, so beer is preferred.
• 😀 In the Norman times, children do not learn reading or writing but focus on the 'three H's': Hawking, heraldry, and horsemanship.
• 😀 The speaker hopes to become a squire and eventually a knight, planning to conquer lands after learning weapons.
• 😀 Pages also serve at meals as part of their duties in the castle.
• 😀 The speaker misses their mother's cooking while living in the castle.
• 😀 During a Welsh raid, only the men go to defend, while women, older individuals, and pages remain behind.
• 😀 The speaker dreams of becoming a knight one day, engaging in battles and wearing shining armor.

Q & A

What does the speaker mention about how people sleep in Norman times?

The speaker mentions that people slept starkers, meaning they slept without clothes, in Norman times.

How often is the shirt washed, according to the speaker?

The shirt is washed every Monday, according to the speaker.

When is the tunic washed?

The tunic is washed every Easter.

What does the speaker say about the smell of clothing?

The speaker admits that the clothes do pong a bit, or smell a little, as they are not washed frequently.

What is the speaker's role in the household?

The speaker is a Paige, sent to learn to be a knight. This is not their home, as they were sent there at the age of seven.

What does the speaker say about breakfast?

The speaker mentions that breakfast consists of bread and beer, with children allowed only one pot of beer.

What are the three 'H's' that children learn?

The three 'H's' that children learn are hawking, heraldry, and horsemanship.

What is the speaker's aspiration?

The speaker aspires to become a Squire and then a Knight, with dreams of conquering lands.

What is the main reason the speaker doesn't like the water?

The speaker mentions that the water is not safe to drink, which is why beer is consumed instead.

What does the speaker have to do during meals?

The speaker, as a Paige, has to serve at meals, which they express they are having a great time doing.