The Origins of Godparents

The idea behind godparenting was one of sponsorship, the idea of standing in surety for the child and to serve as proxies for the parents if they turned out to be particularly godless. Originally godparents were associated with pagans newly joining the church and someone to vouch for them and keep them on the straight and narrow. It used to be expected that the parents would do this vouching as well but that changed as well. In England in 1240 it was decided that in England there would be three godparents. Two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. At the same cinnet incidentally it was also decided that games of religious mockery should