[ivanhoe]

We're exposed to a lot of it, but it's Hollywood depiction of violence, which is a very sanitized, stylized version. People back then had more direct contact with nature and death, it was part of their everyday life and all around them. Many kids would die young, so they all have lost some brothers and sisters. They were expected to work on farms and land, take part in all activities. How many kids today have ever helped parents to slaughter and butcher a pig? Can you imagine today's 5-6 years olds holding a bucket to collect the pig's blood. Or 8-9 y/o being sent by mother to go and cut of the head of a chicken with an axe, and then pluck the feathers and clean the chicken by pouring boiling water over it, all alone without any supervision? And everything else was rougher also. If there was a war it was perfectly common for soldiers to rob, rape, kill and burn down villages along the way. People (poor ones at least) accused of thievery would be killed without much trial, and usually in a very bloody manner (hanging, drowning, boiling, quartering, etc.). Their corps would be left in sight in public places for days. It was a very different world than today for a majority of people.