Tudor childhood: what were children's lives like in the 16th century?
In the fourth episode of her HistoryExtra Academy series Tudor Life, social historian Ruth Goodman explains what would have been expected of children in the 16th century, and how they were viewed by their elders

On location at Plas Mawr – an Elizabethan townhouse in Conwy, North Wales, now in the care of Cadw – social historian Ruth Goodman takes us inside the experiences of childhood in the Tudor era, from learning and early schoolhouses to how much they were expected to help in the home.
Enjoyed this video? Ruth is hosting a live Q&A for HistoryExtra members on 19 November 2025 at 7pm (GMT). Find out more here
Want more from Ruth? Find more episodes of Tudor life here
Ruth Goodman is a historian of the social and domestic life of Britain. She has advised the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Globe Theatre and presented a number of BBC television series, including Victorian Farm

