What was the age at which people had their children in the Middle Ages?

Reply:

In the Middle Ages, the age at which people had children varied significantly depending on various factors such as geography, social class, and individual circumstances. However, some general trends can be observed:

1. Marriage Age:

• Women typically married in their late teens to early twenties, often around ages 16 to 20.
• Men tended to marry a bit later, often in their twenties to early thirties.

1. Childbearing Age:

• Women would usually begin having children shortly after marriage, often by their late teens.
• It was common for women to have multiple pregnancies throughout their reproductive years, which lasted until their late thirties.

1. Average Number of Children:

• Many women could expect to bear between 4 to 6 children, although not all would survive to adulthood due to high infant and child mortality rates.

1. Cultural Variations:

• In some cultures or regions, particularly in noble families, marriages (and thus childbearing) could occur at somewhat older ages due to different societal obligations and arrangements.

Overall, while many women began childbearing in their late teens, societal norms, economic conditions, and personal circumstances could lead to variations in these ages.

And so many childhood deaths.