Najmljeno dojenje i odgoj malodobne djece u Dubrovniku i dubrovačkom zaleđu u razvijenom srednjem vijeku / Breastfeeding for Hire and the Upbringing of Under-Age Children in Dubrovnik and its Hinterland in the Late Middle Ages

Abstract

On the basis of a few newly discovered contracts and litigations this paper considers the issue of hired breastfeeding and the upbringing of abandoned children in Dubrovnik and its hinterland during the late Middle Ages. The contracts show the frequency of these activities which the contractual parties entered into due to various causes. The contribution pays attention to the background of these arid contracts which hide various life stories and the rich history of everyday life in the relations between Dubrovnik and its hinterland. The presented examples also illustrate the practice of buying and selling children.