Sixteenth-Century Family Life
Written by cheergirl93
The sixteenth-century family life was very different and much more difficult to live in than today’s family life. Some were built very close together, and unless you were part of the upper-class your house was not very nice. In fact, your home was more of a hut. The houses had dirt floors, and thatched roofs. Because the roofs were thatched, many animals would live on them to keep warm. Oftentimes the animals such as cats, dogs, and rats would actually fall through the roof. Hence, the saying, it’s raining cats and dogs. Most of the people had floors made of dirt. Only the wealthy people were able to have floors made of slate. Although, the floors became slippery in the winter, and then the upper class people put straws on the floors so they wouldn’t slip.
During the sixteenth-century, people would get married at a very young age. Boys would get married at 14 years of age, and the girls would get married at 12 years of age. These marriages happened without the consent of the parents. The children were able to choose their own spouses. Today it is illegal to get married at such an early age. In most states, you must be at least 18 years of age to marry legally. Back in the sixteenth century, the weddings were usually planned for June. This is because the people rarely took bath and the most common time to take a bath was in May. They figured that they still smelled okay after only a month so it was a good idea. When they did get married, the women always carried a bouquet of flowers so there was a pleasant odor. This is why it is still a tradition today to carry a bouquet of flowers when a woman gets married.
In today’s day in age, we can take a shower as many times as we want. Back in the 16th century, men and their sons were the first ones to take a bath-no shower! They would take a bath in a hot tub of water. Once the men were done, the sons would then take their turn. After they were all done, finally the women were allowed to take a bath and then last, but not least, the children were able to take a bath.
There were many customs that the people lived by. The cooking was always done on an open flame with a kettle in the kitchen. Today it is totally different. We depend on our ovens and our microwaves. Could you imagine cooking over an open flame? I guess if you were camping it would be okay! During the 16th century, only the good food such as pig/bacon was used for guests. As was the bread. The workers would be able to eat the burnt crust of the bread while the lower class or middle class could enjoy the middle of the bread.
I can’t imagine living during the 16th century. No electronic devices and what about those baths? I guess if you read about how life could be, and how it is today, its not that bad.
Works Cited
“Life in the 16th Centruy” Facts About the 1500s. 12 March 2008. <http://jnarin.wordpress.com/2006/06/08/life-in-the-1500-16th-century/>.
