Seeking guidance regarding early English guardianship practices so that we might estimate the ages of one man's children.
Robert Cowper of Hingham died in 1509, leaving a widow Kathryne and three children, Thomas, Peter and Alice.
In his will, Robert asks that two of the children, Peter and Alice, be kept by his wife, Kathryne. Son Thomas, who we presume to be the eldest child, was to be under the "rewle & kepying" of Robert's brother, John Cowper.
Writing about American colonial practices, Robert W. Baird, writes, "Under British common law, full majority was reached at the age of 21 ... children aged 14 and over ... could ... [choose] their guardian ..." See Bob's Genealogy Filing Cabinet, "Legal Age > Actions Minors Could Perform."
Might these same practices have existed in England during the early sixteenth century?
Suggestion and guidance on our effort welcome. Thank you in advance.--Gene