Adoption and Fosterage Practices in the Late Medieval and Modern Age

edited by Maria Clara Rossi and Marina Garbellotti and translated by Fred Sengmueller

Book cover: Adoption and Fosterage Practices in the Late Medieval and Modern Age

Extent: 222 pages

Publisher: Viella – libreria editrice

Subjects: Early Modern & Renaissance Studies, Medieval Studies, Social Sciences 

Series: Viella Historical Research

Series volume number: 3

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(January 2016)

ISBN: 9788867281718

Price: $41.00

On back order

In recent years, historical studies on adoption and fosterage have greatly advanced, very likely due to the importance that such practices have acquired in our own societies. Also in the past – not only during Roman or Late Antique periods, but throughout the Middle Ages and the Modern Era as well – a rather significant number of family units went through adoption and fosterage, experiencing these kinds of ties and relationships on the daily basis. Articles collected in this volume are aimed at analysing the various forms and methods by means of which the concept of “adoption” was interpreted and practiced during the Medieval and Early Modern periods, identifying especially relevant chronological points, examples from different regional and local contexts, reciprocal influences, and family relationships shaped by adoption.


In recent years historical studies on adoption and fosterage have greatly advanced, very likely due to the importance that such practices have acquired in our own societies. Also in the past – not only during Roman or Late Antique periods, but throughout the Middle Ages and the Modern Era as well – a rather significant number of family units went through adoption and fosterage, experiencing these kinds of ties and relationships on the daily basis. Articles collected in this volume are aimed at analysing the various forms and methods by means of which the concept of “adoption” was interpreted and practiced during the Medieval and Early Modern periods, identifying especially relevant chronological points, examples from different regional and local contexts, reciprocal influences, and family relationships shaped by adoption.

  • Edited by Marina Garbellotti
  • Edited by Maria Clara Rossi
  • Translated by Fred Sengmueller