Malleable Minds. The education of medieval children began at an early age. For the most part, people considered that young children were malleable and impressionable; therefore, the sooner good habits and knowledge were inculcated the better they would be retained. Children were believed to learn through word and example, so parents and teachers were told to take care in how they behaved and spoke in front of children.

Aristocratic Children. In the late eighth and early ninth centuries Charlemagne sought to have his children thoroughly educated in a manner suitable for the offspring of an emperor. He wanted both his sons and his daughters to be taught to read and be familiar with the liberal arts. Along with this higher education, the children were also instructed in skills associated with their gender roles. Thus, the boys learned to ride horses, use...