The dark side of childhood in late antiquity and the Middle Ages : unwanted, disabled and lost

This volume examines conceptions, ideas and habits connected with children in Antiquity and the Middle Ages, focusing on the "dark sides of childhood" in the pre-modern world. The authors investigate the long-term attitudes of people, as well as ruptures in habits and customs. The book is divided into three parts. "Unwanted" deals with parents who were unable to bring up their baby and handed it over to other people or the cruel whims of destiny. "Disabled" addresses what we would label as children's illnesses since disability was a concept largely unknown to ancient people. "Nearly Lost" examines demons, viewed as destructive forces with the ability to destroy children or young people, sometimes by literally sucking their lives away. The articles are written by an international team of specialists from Belgium, Finland, Italy and the United States and were presented at conferences organised by the research project "Religion and Childhood. Socialisation from the Roman Empire to Christian World", funded by the Academy of Finland (2009-2012, directed by Dr. Katariina Mustakallio), at the University of Tampere, Finland. Table of Contents Preface ( Katariina Mustakallio and Christian Laes) Part I. Unwanted 1. Infant abandonment and the Christianization of Europe ( Ville Vuolanto ) 2. The Dynamics of Infant Motives, Attitudes and (Unintended) Consequences ( Judith Evans-Grubbs ) Part II. Disabled 3. Disabled Children in Gregory of Tours ( Christian Laes ) Part III. (Nearly) Lost 4. Hungry Witches in Antiquity and the Middle Ages ( Laura Cherubini ) 5. Sons of Children's Impairment and the Belief in Changelings in Medieval Europe (c. 11501450) ( Jenni Kuuliala ) 6. Socialization Gone Astray? Children and Demonic Possession in Later Middle Ages ( Sari Katajala-Peltomaa ) This Volume Examines Conceptions, Ideas And Habits Connected With Children In Antiquity And The Middle Ages, Focusing On The Dark Sides Of Childhood In The Pre-modern World. The Authors Investigate The Long-term Attitudes Of People, As Well As Ruptures In Habits And Customs. The Book Is Divided Into Three Parts. Unwanted Deals With Parents Who Were Unable To Bring Up Their Baby And Handed It Over To Other People Or The Cruel Whims Of Destiny. Disabled Addresses What We Would Label As Children's Illnesses Since Disability Was A Concept Largely Unknown To Ancient People. Nearly Lost Examines Demons, Viewed As Destructive Forces With The Ability To Destroy Children Or Young People, Sometimes By Literally Sucking Their Lives Away. The Articles Are Written By An International Team Of Specialists From Belgium, Finland, Italy And The United States And Were Presented At Conferences Organised By The Research Project Religion And Childhood. Socialisation From The Roman Empire To Christian World, Funded By The Academy Of Finland -- Introduction / Katariina Mustakallio And Christian Laes -- Part I. Unwanted. Infant Abandonment And The Christianization Of Medieval Europe / Ville Vuolanto -- The Dynamics Of Infant Abandonment: Motives, Attitudes And (unintended) Consequences / Judith Evans Grubbs -- Part Ii. Disabled. Disabled Children In Gregory Of Tours / Christian Laes -- Part Iii. (nearly) Lost. Hungry Witches And Children In Antiquity And The Middle Ages / Laura Cherubini -- Sons Of Demons? Children's Impairment And The Belief In Changelings In Medieval Europe (c. 1150–1450) / Jenni Kuuliala -- Socialization Gone Astray? Children And Demonic Possession In The Later Middle Ages / Sari Katajala-peltomaa. Edited By Katariina Mustakallio And Christian Laes. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [113]-126) And Index.

This volume examines conceptions, ideas and habits connected with children in Antiquity and the Middle Ages, focusing on the "dark sides of childhood" in the pre-modern world. The authors investigate the long-term attitudes of people, as well as ruptures in habits and customs. The book is divided into three parts. "Unwanted" deals with parents who were unable to bring up their baby and handed it over to other people or the cruel whims of destiny. "Disabled" addresses what we would label as children's illnesses since disability was a concept largely unknown to ancient people. "Nearly Lost" examines demons, viewed as destructive forces with the ability to destroy children or young people, sometimes by literally sucking their lives away. The articles are written by an international team of specialists from Belgium, Finland, Italy and the United States and were presented at conferences organised by the research project "Religion and Childhood. Socialisation from the Roman Empire to Christian World", funded by the Academy of Finland (2009-2012, directed by Dr. Katariina Mustakallio), at the University of Tampere, Finland.

Cover 1 Introduction 8 1. Infant Abandonment and the Christianization of Medieval Europe 14 2. The Dynamics of Infant Abandonment: Motives, Att itudes and(Unintended) Consequences 32 3. Disabled Children in Gregory of Tours 50 4. Hungry Witches and Children in Antiquity and the Middle Ages 76 5. Sons of Demons? Children’s Impairment and the Belief inChangelings in Medieval Europe (c. 1150–1400) 90 6. Socialization Gone Astray? Children and DemonicPossession in the Later Middle Ages 106 Bibliography 124 Index 138