Also, consider class. Upper class (and upper middle), you were your parents play things until they shuffled off their mortal coils (although if they shuffled off too early, generally before 18-21 depending on gender you might find a maiden aunt taking over). lower and middle, middle class it was generally held you'd be able to participate as an adult around 21 (or less if you joined the army), working class and below. You were an adult as soon as your started acting like one (working class people really wouldn't be expected to have formal contracts over anything, so being competent to sign one is pretty much moot).
If it helps compulsory schooling was established in England and Wales in 1870 for kids 5-12 (inclusive). Scotland had had this since 1646.
The whole age of majority thing wasn't really formalised until WW1 when they needed to work out how many people could legally be fed into the meat grinder of the western front and how many needed to be kept at home and fed. But it all happened very organically, there was no great announcement from on high.
If it helps compulsory schooling was established in England and Wales in 1870 for kids 5-12 (inclusive). Scotland had had this since 1646.
The whole age of majority thing wasn't really formalised until WW1 when they needed to work out how many people could legally be fed into the meat grinder of the western front and how many needed to be kept at home and fed. But it all happened very organically, there was no great announcement from on high.
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