Übung: Sex and Sexuality in the Middle Ages

In medieval Christian Europe, sex was mainly regarded as sinful. Only marital sex for the purpose of procreation was permitted under canon law, and even then sex was governed by numerous guidelines and restrictions. Any variance from this norm – that is, any sexual practice which could not result in procreation, or which was not conducted with one’s spouse – was condemned and often harshly prosecuted. This seminar will deal with how various types of sex and sexuality, such as (extra-)marital sex, homosexuality, and masturbation, were perceived in the Middle Ages. It will also explore the reasons underlying these medieval views.

Biller, P. P. A.: Birth-Control in the West in the Thirteenth and Early Fourteenth Centuries, in Past & Present, No. 94 (Feb., 1982), pp. 3-26.

Brundage, James A.: Sex and Canon Law, in: Bullough, Vern L.; Brundage, James A. (ed.): Handbook of Medieval Sexuality (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, Bd. 1696), New York and London 1996, pp. 33-50.

Brundage, James A.: Sex, Law and Marriage in the Middle Ages (Variorum Collected Studies Series), Aldershot 1993.

Bullough, Vern L.: Cross Dressing and Gender Role Change in the Middle Ages, in: Bullough, Vern L.; Brundage, James A. (Ed.): Handbook of Medieval Sexuality (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, Bd. 1696), New York and London 1996, pp. 223-242.

Bullough, Vern L.: Sex Education in Medieval Christianity, in: The Journal of Sex Research, Vol. 13, No. 3 (Aug., 1977), pp. 185-196.

Cadden, Joan: Western Medicine and Natural Philosophy, in: Bullough, Vern L.; Brundage, James A. (ed.): Handbook of Medieval Sexuality (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, Bd. 1696), New York and London 1996, pp. 51-80.

Classen, Albrecht: Sexual Violence and Rape in the Middle Ages. A Critical Discourse in Premodern German and European Literature (Fundamentals of Medieval and Early Modern Culture, Bd. 7), Berlin und Boston 2011.

Gilman, Sander L.: Sexuality. An Illustrated History. Representing the Sexual in Medicine and Culture from the Middle Ages to the Age of AIDS, New York u.a. 1989.

Green, Monica H.: Caring for Gendered Bodies, in: Bennett, Judith M.; Karras, Ruth Mazo (ed.): The Oxford Handbook of Women and Gender in Medieval Europe, Oxford 2013, pp. 345-361.

Johansson, Warren; Percy, William A.: Homosexuality, in: Bullough, Vern L.; Brundage, James A. (ed.): Handbook of Medieval Sexuality (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, Bd. 1696), New York and London 1996, pp. 155-189.

Karras, Ruth Mazo: Prostitution in Medieval Europe, in: Bullough, Vern L.; Brundage, James A. (ed.): Handbook of Medieval Sexuality (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, Bd. 1696), New York and London 1996, pp. 243-260.

Karras, Ruth Mazo: Sexuality in Medieval Europe. Doing unto Others, New York 2005.

Kuefler, Mathew: Castration and Eunuchism in the Middle Ages, in: Bullough, Vern L.; Brundage, James A. (ed.): Handbook of Medieval Sexuality (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, Bd. 1696), New York and London 1996, pp. 279-306.

McGlynn, Margaret; Moll, Richard J.: Chaste Marriage in the Middle Ages, in: Bullough, Vern L.; Brundage, James A. (ed.): Handbook of Medieval Sexuality (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, Bd. 1696), New York and London 1996, pp.103-122.

Murray, Jacqueline: Twice Marginal and Twice Invisible. Lesbians in the Middle Ages, in: Bullough, Vern L.; Brundage, James A. (ed.): Handbook of Medieval Sexuality (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, Bd. 1696), New York and London 1996, pp. 191-222.

Payer, Pierre J.: Sex and the Penitentials. The Development of a Sexual Code 550-1150, Toronto 1984.

Payer, Pierre J.: The Bridling Desire. Views of Sex in the Later Middle Ages, Toronto 1993.

Puff, Helmut: Same-Sex Possibilities, in: Bennett, Judith M.; Karras, Ruth Mazo (ed.): The Oxford Handbook of Women and Gender in Medieval Europe, Oxford 2013, pp. 379-395.

Richards, Jeffrey: Sex, Dissidence and Damnation. Minority Groups in the Middle Ages, London and New York 1995.

Riddle, John M., and J. Worth Estes: Oral Contraceptives in Ancient and Medieval Times, in: American Scientist. Vol. 80, No. 3 (May–June 1992), pp. 226-233.

Riddle, John M.: Contraception and Early Abortion in the Middle Ages, in: Bullough, Vern L.; Brundage, James A. (ed.): Handbook of Medieval Sexuality (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, Bd. 1696), New York and London 1996, pp. 261-277.

Riddle, John: Contraception and Abortion from the Ancient World to the Renaissance. Cambridge, MA, 1992.

Salisbury, Joyce E.: Gendered Sexuality, in: Bullough, Vern L.; Brundage, James A. (ed.): Handbook of Medieval Sexuality (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities, Bd. 1696), New York and London 1996, pp. 81-102.

Sheehan, Michael M.: Marriage, Family, and Law in Medieval Europe. Collected Studies, Toronto 1996.

Der Studien- und Lehrbetrieb im Sommersemester 2021 wird digital abgehalten.

Sollte diese Regelung aufgehoben werden, findet die Übung in der Soldmannstr. 23, SR 232 statt.