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What happened to midgets in medieval times? |
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I know from extensive reading about medieval times that the above answer is not entirely off the mark. Midgets were believed to have magical powers and as such, were usually revered instead of ridiculed. Before and during the Elizabethan era, it was quite fashionable for royal and noble households to have a "pet dwarf" in residence. The dwarf would often take the place of a court jester, learning jokes and tricks to entertain the family and its guests. It seems rather cruel to make such sport of the handicapped, but keep in mind that they didn't have the excessive diversions that we enjoy today. Dwarfs who secured such a dubious position were considered extremely fortunate, for they were almost always fed well and beautifully clothed, even during times of widespread hardship. There was far more demand for dwarfs than "supply" - which is no doubt why they were considered such a status symbol - so a clever midget pretty much had his choice of wealthy families vying to lavish affection and comfort on their prospective "pet."
The tragic downside to this dwarf-mania among noble households was that many children were deliberately crippled by their parents in a misguided attempt to assure them a future life of ease and plenty. Occasionally, this plot would be successful but more often than not, it resulted in the child growing up twisted and deformed instead of merely very short.
First answer by ID1074558220. Last edit by Viper1usmc. Contributor trust: 1778 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 16 [recommend question]
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