[Nefer]

Lol. Well the church was really present back then, and had a lot of influence on people (mostly french people, english ones were mostly protestant or whatever you call that religion in english, therefore they mostly didn't bother with all that). They didn't FORCE the women to have children, but let's just say it was almost that, when you're really religious and you're treaten with the fact that you may not be allowed in a church again you pretty much listen to what they want, even if your last pregnancy almost cost you your life...