Talk about poor casting. No thanks.
shareHe's actually almost 30. Since it was common for guys to go to war while still in their teens, it's plausible that he had already seen many years of combat.
shareAs per BBC History:
"The average life expectancy for a male child born in the UK between 1276 and 1300 was 31.3 years. In 1998, it is 76. However, by the time the 13th-Century boy had reached 20 he could hope to live to 45, and if he made it to 30 he had a good chance of making it into his fifties."
As @LivingMCM pointed out, Egerton is nearing 30, so already a seasoned old-timer in medieval terms!
(I do agree that he does look rather too boyish for the role though...)
A large part of the life expectancy differential is due to the very high infant and child mortality rates. If you made it to adulthood, you were likely to live, barring illness or injury, to the three score and seven (70) the bible relates as the expected span of a man.
shareNot many stories in the bible take place in 13th century England, if I recall correctly! The UK still has crappy life expectancies in some areas, particularly in the north. Inequality, climate, industry, etc.
shareThat doesn't change the facts. People naturally, without modern medicine, have a common life expectancy of about 70 years, provided they make it past puberty. Yes, environmental conditions and violence can cause people to die much earlier. But even today, when life expectancy is higher, that can happen.
shareGoogle Children's Crusade.
share