A page historically referred to a young boy in the service of a nobleman or a royal court. Pages were usually between the ages of 7 and 14, and were often the sons of nobles or members of the gentry.
Pages were typically responsible for performing a variety of tasks for their lords or ladies, such as running errands, carrying messages, serving at table, and performing various other duties around the household or court. They were also expected to attend on their masters and mistresses at all times, and to be respectful and obedient at all times.
In medieval times, pages were often chosen for their good looks, intelligence, and social standing. Serving as a page was considered a valuable education in courtly manners and chivalry, and was often seen as a stepping-stone to more prestigious positions at court or in the military.
Traditionally in the 20th Century, Today, the term "page" is still used in some ceremonial roles, such as in military or civic parades, where young people may serve as flag bearers or other ceremonial roles. In weddings one of the most common roles was as a page boy, who would carry the train of the bride's dress as she walked down the aisle. This was particularly important in the days before modern wedding gowns, which often had long, heavy trains that needed to be held up to prevent the bride from tripping or getting the dress dirty.
In addition to carrying the train, page boys might also carry the bride's veil, bouquet, or other small items. They might also serve as ushers, escorting guests to their seats before the ceremony began.
Another traditional role for young boys in weddings was as ring bearers. The ring bearer would carry the wedding rings on a small pillow or cushion, and present them to the bride and groom during the ceremony. This role is still popular today, particularly in Western weddings.
Finally, some couples choose to include young boys in their wedding party as junior groomsmen or ushers. These roles are similar to those of adult groomsmen, but are designed to recognize and include younger family members or close friends in the wedding celebration.
Whatever position is chosen for the little men, they will steal the show and hearts.