Essay On Sexuality In The High Middle Ages

During the High Middle Ages, sexuality—at least the way the term is used in modern times—was not necessarily a concept that they focused on, or was it? Many know of the Church’s stance on virginity in unmarried women and clerical abstinence, but we do not think if the other facets that make up what we today know as human sexuality. Sexuality affected both men and women, both virginal and the unchaste alike, and molded the way that society in the High Middle Ages functioned. Much of the proof of sexuality during the time period is sourced in literature from the time period, including those of the religious persuasion, and have been immortalized in song and tradition as well. Even grave events such as those of the demonization of women during the several infamous witchcraft trials that have happened throughout

However, it certainly did not have the same understanding and information attached to it as it does in modern times. In the time period, various types of unions existed, including both ‘traditional’ marriages to opposite sex individuals and spiritual marriages containing chastity. The Church, as many know, had a heavy hand on what constituted as immoral and sinful in decisions on sex and their opinions on sin also influenced the societal thought on female sexuality and ultimately the demonization of it into witchcraft. Male sexuality, however, had a more welcoming approach to masculinity, except that which dealt with homosexuality. This openness to male sexuality even led to the condoning of rape, unless it concerned noblewomen. These violent acts were even written about within Medieval literature concerning ‘courtly’ love, although many authors on the subject denounced the act of rape. Despite the Church’s decision on the immorality of sex, even prostitution still existed during the era, legalized in many areas as permitted only to keep men from committing more grievous