What Were Medieval Attitudes Towards Sex? | Medieval Pleasures
History Hit・2 minutes read
Medieval attitudes towards sex were more open than commonly believed, with the church imposing strict rules despite clergy often breaking them. The period was characterized by open attitudes towards sex work, privacy challenges, and a mix of pleasures like sex, alcohol, and sports, as seen in various medieval texts and traditions.
Insights
- Medieval attitudes towards sex and pleasure were more open and relaxed than commonly perceived, with activities like sex work, public sexual encounters, and humor about bodily functions being prevalent despite the Catholic Church's strict rules.
- Surviving medieval sources, such as penitentials and images, provide valuable insights into the diverse sexual practices and attitudes of the time, showcasing a society that often disregarded the church's teachings on sex while engaging in a variety of activities like impotence tests, royal wedding night traditions, and courtly love, reflecting a complex interplay between societal norms and individual behaviors.
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Recent questions
Were medieval attitudes towards sex strict?
No, they were more relaxed than commonly believed.
What insights can York offer into medieval life?
York was a significant city in medieval England, providing valuable insights.
How did the Catholic Church regulate sex in medieval times?
The Church imposed strict rules on sex, allowing it only for procreation within marriage.
Did medieval people bathe regularly?
Yes, bathing was common in medieval times.
How did medieval people view courtly love?
Courtly love emphasized non-procreative sex between married women and unmarried men.
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Summary
00:00
Medieval attitudes towards sex and pleasure
- Medieval attitudes towards obscenity and sex were more relaxed than commonly believed.
- The Tower of London and the medieval period are often associated with grimness, plagues, wars, and church restrictions on pleasure.
- Surviving sources from the medieval period are largely from the Catholic Church, discouraging excessive fun.
- The series explores medieval pleasure, including sex, alcohol, and sports.
- York was a significant city in medieval England, offering insights into medieval life and activities.
- Streets like Grapelane in York were named after activities like grappling, reflecting open attitudes towards sex work.
- Sex work was prevalent and regulated in medieval times, often marked by specific clothing or accessories.
- Bathing was common in medieval times, challenging the myth that people didn't bathe.
- The Catholic Church imposed strict rules on sex, allowing it only for procreation within marriage and with specific restrictions.
- Despite the Church's rules, clergy members were often found breaking them, engaging in sinful behavior like living with concubines or operating brothels.
15:13
Sexuality in Medieval Society: Insights and Intrigues
- In medieval times, the church's teachings on sex were often disregarded, as even priests struggled to adhere to the rules.
- Bedrooms in the medieval period were uncomfortable and lacked privacy, leading to shared sleeping arrangements and potentially public sexual encounters.
- Privacy was scarce, pushing individuals to either engage in sex in shared rooms or seek outdoor locations, challenging in crowded cities like York.
- Medieval documents, like penitentials, shed light on sexual practices, including references to homemade sexual objects and apparatuses.
- Surviving medieval images, like those found in manuscripts and pilgrim badges, offer insights into medieval people's attitudes towards sex and sexuality.
- Impotence tests, like the one endured by John in York, were conducted to determine the validity of marriages, showcasing the church's involvement in regulating sexual matters.
- Eleanor Reichner's case in 14th century London highlights the existence of queer individuals and sex workers in medieval society, challenging modern perceptions.
- The private lives of the upper classes, exemplified by King Edward I's royal bedroom in the Tower of London, showcased luxurious and private settings for sexual encounters.
- Royal wedding night traditions, like the betting ceremony, involved elaborate rituals to ensure the consummation of the marriage for legal and dynastic purposes.
- Courtly love, a form of romance in medieval courts, emphasized non-procreative sex between married women and unmarried men, navigating the complexities of love and marriage.
29:44
Medieval Tales: Sex, Humor, and Pleasure
- Chaucer's "The Miller's Tale" is a popular medieval story involving a young woman deceiving her older husband to have sex with their lodger, culminating in a humorous fart joke.
- The tale showcases the medieval openness towards sex and humor, with characters engaging in risqué behavior like public sex, raunchy jokes, and open discussions about bodily functions.
- A 15th-century poem titled "The Maid Servant's Holiday" exemplifies the medieval people's penchant for mixing pleasures, combining sex with alcohol, reflecting their relaxed attitudes towards such topics.
