Manning up a boy Child

In the education of their children, the Anglo-Saxons only sought to render them dauntless and apt for the two most important occupations of their future lives-war and the chase.

It was a usual trial of a child's courage, to place him on the sloping roof of a building, and if, without screaming or terror he held fast, he was styled a stout 'herce', or brave boy. - Howel