Medieval Sex Myths
Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
Deep Dive
Why did medieval people believe women were more highly sexed than men?
Medieval people believed women were more highly sexed than men due to the story of Adam and Eve, where Eve was seen as weak-willed and easily tempted. This narrative suggested that women were more prone to desire and less able to control it, while men were considered stronger and more rational, capable of resisting temptation.
What were medieval beliefs about aphrodisiacs?
Medieval people believed that windy foods, like chickpeas, were aphrodisiacs because they thought such foods balanced the humors, particularly blood, which was associated with male vitality. They believed that foods causing wind could stimulate sexual desire by influencing the body's humoral balance.
How did medieval people understand sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
Medieval people did not understand STIs in the modern sense. They associated diseases like gonorrhea (a term they used for genital discharge) with overindulgence rather than contagion. They believed that diseases could be transmitted through contact with 'filthy' individuals, such as sex workers, but lacked a clear understanding of pathogens.
What was the medieval attitude toward sex within marriage?
Medieval attitudes toward sex within marriage evolved over time. Early on, the church emphasized renunciation of sex, but by the 12th and 13th centuries, marriage was considered a sacrament, and sex for reproduction was seen as good. However, sex purely for pleasure was still discouraged, though not as severely condemned as extramarital sex.
How did medieval people view menopause and sex after it?
Medieval people believed that sex after menopause was acceptable if the couple remained open to the possibility of divine intervention causing fertility. They thought that God could still enable conception, so post-menopausal sex within marriage was not considered sinful.
What role did sex workers play in medieval society?
Sex workers in medieval society were often associated with other professions, such as laundresses (lavenders) or spinsters. They were viewed with suspicion but were also recognized as part of the community. The church condemned them as sinful, yet they were sometimes seen as necessary, and debates arose about whether they should be paid for their services.
How were impotence and infertility handled in medieval courts?
In medieval courts, impotence was a valid reason to dissolve a marriage. If a spouse claimed the other was impotent, midwives, doctors, or even sex workers might be called to examine the accused. If impotence was proven, the marriage could be annulled, allowing the parties to remarry.
What were medieval pilgrimage badges, and what did they signify?
Medieval pilgrimage badges were souvenirs that pilgrims collected to commemorate their journeys. While some were religious symbols, others were more risqué, featuring phallic or vulvar imagery. These badges were not necessarily tied to specific pilgrimage sites but were often seen as humorous or kitsch souvenirs.
What was the medieval understanding of erections and fertility?
Medieval people linked erections directly to fertility, believing that a man's ability to have an erection meant he was fertile. If a couple failed to conceive, the blame was often placed on the woman, as men were assumed to be fertile if they could perform sexually.
How did medieval people view same-sex relationships?
Medieval attitudes toward same-sex relationships were largely negative, influenced by the church's teachings. However, court records reveal instances of same-sex relationships, such as the case of Eleanor/John Rykener, a 14th-century individual who may have been a trans or gender-fluid sex worker. These cases show that same-sex relationships existed, even if they were condemned.
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