Love Sex & Marriage in the Middle Ages

by Conor McCarthy (Editor)

The emotional state of love, the physical act of sex and the social institution of marriage were central issues of medieval life. Conor McCarthy brings together a wide array of writings as well as informative introductions and explanations, to give a vivid impression of how love, sex and marriage were discussed at the time.

Included are extracts from literary and theological works, medical and legal writings, conduct books, chronicles and letters. They range from well-known texts such as the letters of Abelard and Heloise, Beowulf and the Canterbury Tales to less familiar sources such as Church legislation or court proceedings. The breadth of material shows the diverse and sometimes disparate approaches to love, sex and marriage in medieval culture and illustrates contemporary attitudes and ideologies. The collection includes some material available in Modern English for the first time.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

309 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2003

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this anthology secondary to a friendly argument regarding the lives and letters of Abelard and Heloise and a discussion that sex and marriage had specific roles during the medieval period that would seem foreign to modern sensibilities.

It is essentially an academic text that discusses various perspectives directly through the writings of such luminaries as St. Augustine, Froissart, Chaucer, Constantine Africanus and others. The reader is not only introduced to various political, literary, economic, and theological viewpoints and uses of sex and marriage during the Middle Ages, but if you're observant you will see the viewpoints subtly changing during this vibrant thousand year period of pre-modern thought.

As a student of history with a particular interest in the medieval period, I found this text to be engaging, informative, and comprehensive -- covering the full European intellectual landscape. This is not a book about sex per se, but how and why certain behaviors were dictated by the theological-political rules of the time.

If you are new to reading about the Middle Ages, keep in mind that there are only two primary influences of thought: The theology of the developing Catholic Church, and the influences of the Roman Empire that preceded the Middle Ages. I think that this little book will stimulate your interest to read more about both of them.i

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the information carried in it. It was really interesting about marriage laws and how they changed over time,

[Lukas Lovas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good overview on the history of the institution of marriage. Love and sex are mentioned more as peripheral concepts related to marriage and the overview covers in scope only the western (Europe and US) tradition of it. Still, quite fascinating and it definitely puts things into the historical perspective. Worth reading if you're at all interested.