ABSTRACT
The concept of sacrifice of the innocent to absolve the sins of the guilty is a recurring one in human history. The faulty logic is simply a cover-up for the continued drive by large numbers of human beings to commit wrongful and cruel acts toward the innocent. Infant abandonment was widespread in the Middle Ages, and large amounts of literature document this practice. The rate of infanticide committed by mothers remained high throughout the Middle Ages, though laws prohibiting infanticide were instituted during this time period. Child beating was an exceptionally common practice and took place in a very violent and regular manner with the endorsement and advice of the social culture and experts of the day. Sexual abuse of children continued throughout the Middle Ages and was common. Children sent away to apprenticeships were particularly vulnerable to such abuse. Even infants were not immune from sexual behaviors toward them by their parents, relatives, and other adults.
