In Loco Parentis: Holland’s orphan chambers in a European context

Various well-known forms of safeguards for life-cycle risks have been described extensively for the early modern era. In this paper I want to draw attention to one specific and often underrated one, the risk of being orphaned at a young age, and the changing social arrangements covering the consequences. The mortality pattern of European cities translated into high numbers of young orphans. Most of them did not need the physical care provided by orphanages and were taken in by family or friends. However, some of them needed assistance to safeguard assets they had inherited from their parents.... Mehr ...