Lords and ladies had to oversee the running of the estate and their household. Although this was tiring, they had plenty of time for leisure. In the Middle Ages, few knew how to read and write, but boys had more of a chance to learn than girls. At the age of 6 or 7, noble children were often sent away, boys to become pages and learn to fight, girls to learn manage households. At 14, most weddings and alliances happened.