East of England Sense of Place Suffolk
Guided tours of Suffolk's past

Seven Ages of Man, and Woman, in Suffolk

The Infant

First of all, it was important to be baptised. Many infants died young, and the vicar would have you believe that, for a baby, baptism was the only sure passport to Heaven.

Assuming that you managed to survive infancy, you would have to be properly clothed. That meant a dress, even if you were a little

boy. Boys from wealthy families were kept in dresses longer, but by the 1890s it was rare to see a boy of over 6 in a dress.

A rocking chair would keep you out of harm's way while your mother got on with her many chores.

Seven Ages of Man, and Woman, in Suffolk

The Schoolboy