Medieval Sexuality A Casebook [Hardcover]

Medieval Sexuality: A Casebookis a fascinating collection featuring both new and established experts in the field. The volume includes 11 original essays by Ross Balzaretti, Philip Crispin, Dominic Janes, Hugh Kennedy, A. Lynn Martin, Kim M. Phillips, Samantha J. E. Riches, Joyce E. Salisbury, David Santiuste, and the volume editors, April Harper and Caroline Proctor. The authors explore a variety of sources, contributing work on a diverse range of topics including: sources for sexuality in Late Lombard Italy; the problematic reception of early medieval penitentials by modern readers; sexuality as experienced by the desert fathers and mothers; connections between saints, monsters, and sexuality in medieval art and hagiography; the relationship between food, seduction, and adultery in the fabliaux; sex, alcohol, and the late medieval stereotype of the unruly woman; sex as a medical and moral concern in medieval regimens of health; ideas of sexuality in political discourse; sex and scandal in festive drama; debates on sexual orientation in Arabic court literature; and pre-colonial descriptions of sexuality in the Far East. The volume concludes with a useful selection of further reading.

 

 

Table of Contents

Editors Introduction

Contributors

Acknowledgements

Early Medieval Histories

1. Ross Balzaretti Sexuality in late Lombard Italy, c.700-800 AD 2. Dominic Janes Dangerous deeds and polluting texts: the moral readings and modern reception of the insular penitentials Saintly Sexualities

3. Joyce E. Salisbury When Sex Stopped Being a Social Disease: Sex and the Desert Fathers and Mothers 4. Samantha J.E. Riches Virtue and violence: saints, monsters and sexuality in medieval culture

Consuming Passions5. April Harper The food of love: illil³