« Reply #7 on: Monday 24 February 20 23:49 GMT (UK) »
Wiki tells me that in the 16th century it was the custom to dress boys and girls alike until about the age of five, when the boys were “breeched” and dressed in trousers and girls dressed as little ladies.
I think they ceased to be infants then in the eyes of the church and were children until they were confirmed in the faith and able to make commitments for themselves, usually about 12-14 years.
Mike
You've reminded me of my favourite teacher in the late 1940s, an ex WwII naval man who used to regale us with the times his ship(s) sank underneath him.
As promised he brought in a photograph of him aged two. We youngsters couldn't stop giggling at the sight of him wearing a dress, with a ribbon in his hair keeping his long ringlets neatly in place. The only way you could tell it was a boy was that his hair was parted at the "boys side".
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