Tag Archives: Medieval women

Rape Culture in the Middle—And Modern—Ages (Medieval Mondays #10c)

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The previous Medieval Mondays post on sex discussed perceptions of women’s sexuality in the Middle Ages.

It covered historical notions of women as “misbegotten” lesser humans, as helplessly insatiable and promiscuous, and as ever in danger of being considered unmarriageable and “spoiled goods” if subject to even the hint of impropriety.

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The Joy Burden of Sex for Women in the Middle Ages (Medieval Mondays #10b)

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Medieval perception of women’s sexuality

The first two Medieval Mondays posts on sex focused on proper sexual conduct as dictated by the Church.

But no discussion about sex, be it in a historical or a modern context, can be deemed complete without a parallel discussion about the societal perception of women as sexual beings, as well as their sexual agency, or lack thereof.

The two topics are intrinsically linked.

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