There was no concept of youth being a carefree time of irresponsibility as now. The limitations of childhood were recognised but children were expected to take on duties and responsibilities appropriate to their abilities.Young noble children were sent away at the age of about seven to serve as pages in other households - in the hope that they would learn to be obedient and avoid being spoiled.

Most noble children received a quite wide-ranging education, although boys were expected to learn more academic subjects. Education was provided in the home by parents, chaplains or other clerics, sometimes by a hired tutor. Skills such as archery and combat were taught by the most proficient at exponents of them. Musical abilities were nurtured as it was considered proper for noblemen and women to be able to sing, play and dance. However, the need for recreation was acknowledged and games, though often played by adults, were recognised to be the especial domain of childhood, as demonstrated by Breughel in his painting depicting them:

St Nicholas' day was considered a special festival for children and they often had great fun at Christmas time when the the usual order of society was turned upside down. Adults often joined in games such as "kayles" -

Many toys needed skill and manual dexterity: whip-and-top, cup-and-ball, diabolo etc. A variety of games needed little or no equipment at all, such as "Last Couple in Hell"; "Tierce" and "Hoodman Blind" which was originally a very rowdy game.

Toys were few and often home-made. This lucky young page has a both hobby horse and a windmill which he bears like a whirring lance .