In the 13th century, European children were traditionally baptised with holy water by a priest. Baptism was an important religious ceremony that marked the child's entry into the Christian faith and their acceptance into the church community. The sacrament of baptism was believed to cleanse the child of original sin and offer them the opportunity for salvation.

During the baptism ceremony, the priest would pour holy water over the child's head or immerse them in a baptismal font. The water used in the ceremony was specially blessed by the priest and was considered to have sacred properties. It was believed that through baptism, the child would be reborn into a new life as a follower of Christ.

Baptism was seen as a crucial step in a child's spiritual development and was often accompanied by the child receiving a Christian name. This name was chosen by the child's parents or godparents and was considered to be a symbol of their commitment to raising the child in the Christian faith.

Throughout the Middle Ages, baptism was an important rite of passage for European children and was usually performed shortly after birth. The ceremony was attended by family members and friends, who would often bring gifts and offerings to the church to celebrate the occasion.

Today, baptism continues to be an important sacrament in the Christian faith, with many families choosing to baptise their children in accordance with their religious beliefs. While the ceremony may have evolved over the centuries, the fundamental principles of baptism remain the same – to welcome the child into the Christian community and to initiate them into the faith.

In conclusion, in the 13th century European children were baptised with holy water by a priest as part of the traditional baptism ceremony. This sacred ritual marked the child's entry into the Christian faith and was considered a crucial step in their spiritual development.

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