FAMILIES IN

THE
RENAISSANCE
By, Estefania Armendariz Fidencio
The Renaissance
The years of the Renaissance are from the 14th century to the 17th century.
Marriage Rates & Procedures
Young girls were able to be married at the
ages of 12 to 14. For young boys on the
other hand , they were able to be married
at the age of 14. Majority of the marriages
were at the ages of 20 to 30 years of age.
The reason for these marriages would be:
- For property
- Family alliance
The procedures are not that different
from the procedures now. Some of the
procedures are:
- The bride promises to obey their
husband
- Sometimes the bride would be
decked in ears of wheat to
symbolize Ceres, goddess of fertility
- Usually doesn’t wear white
- After the wedding there is a toast
with sweet wine or ale if not wealthy
Divorce Rates
Not a lot of people got divorced in the time period. The only reason they are allowed to
get a divorce is:

- If one partner is already married to someone else

- If there is blood or spiritual relation to the other person ex: godparent
- Using force or fear to get consent
- Marrying a minor
Average Age When Married/Children
There are different average ages for The average age girls are considered
different years: adults would be at the age of 14. They
are considered old enough to inherit,
- 1566-1619 (27 years) marry and have children at this age.
- 1647-1719 (29 years)
- 1719-1779 (26 years)
- 1770-1837 (25 years)
Role of Mother and Father
The role of the mother: The role of the Father:
- Head of household
- Obey their husband
- Gives moral direction to wife and
children
Role of Children
The role of the children:

- Go to another noble house to be trained proper noble behavior

- Middle and lower class kept their children at home
- Employed at an young age in business or home duties
Income
The made most of their income thru trade. They traded things like:

- Silk
- Wool
- Cloth
- Spices
- Silver
- Armour
- Modern art
- Books
- Furniture
Living Style
Lower class:
Upper class:
- Made of earth stone or wood - Made of brick or cut stone
- Hut looking - Castle looking
- Roof was covered with straw - Cubed shaped so it was stronger
- Multiple floors
- Windows were rectangular with
- Windows on top floor and square
wood to cover them shaped
- Some had moats for protection
Laws
- Boy would be able to inherit or take over their father’s business at the age of 14
- All children under the age of 20 must study the catechism every sunday and holy
day before and after evening prayers
- Inheritance law mostly favored the males then the female even though females
were “suitable” to inherit anything
Education
Education for boys:
- Study latin
- Study vocabulary
- Study poetry and prose writers
Education for Girls:
- Encouraging chastity
- Developing skills of
housewifery
- How to govern a household
- How to conduct herself in the
social class give to her
Social Changes
One of the social changes was the fall of feudalism and the rise of capitalism in the
market economy. This change helped increase trade and labor shortages caused by
the Black Death. The workers were able to demand wages and better living conditions.
Work Cited
Attitudes Towards Plays and Players. (n.d.). Cedar Crest College. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from

http://www2.cedarcrest.edu/academic/eng/lfletcher/tempest/papers/KDembick.html

Education :: Life and Times :: Internet Shakespeare Editions. (n.d.). Internet Shakespeare Editions. Retrieved

February 1, 2023, from https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/ideas/education/index.html

Jarus, O. (2022, January 11). The Renaissance: The 'Rebirth' of Science & Culture. Live Science. Retrieved

February 1, 2023, from https://www.livescience.com/55230-renaissance.html

Kennan, C. (2017, April 6). Till death do us part? Divorce in medieval England. The National Archives blog.

Retrieved February 1, 2023, from

https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/till-death-us-part-divorce-medieval-england/
Work Cited
Stirler, G. (2013, August 17). Children's lives in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Renstore. Retrieved

February 1, 2023, from

https://stores.renstore.com/history-and-biography/childrens-lives-in-the-middle-ages-and-the-renaissanc

The family :: Life and Times :: Internet Shakespeare Editions. (n.d.). Internet Shakespeare Editions. Retrieved

February 1, 2023, from https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/society/family/index.html

Upper Class & Lower Class Homes of the Renaissance. (n.d.). Prezi. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from

https://prezi.com/8qhimmdfsds7/upper-class-lower-class-homes-of-the-renaissance/