Handbook Medieval Sexuality

by Vern L. Bullough, James A. Brundage (Editor)

Like specialists in other fields in humanities and social sciences, medievalists have begun to investigate and write about sex and related topics such as courtship, concubinage, divorce, marriage, prostitution, and child rearing. The scholarship in this significant volume asserts that sexual conduct formed a crucial role in the lives, thoughts, hopes and fears both of individuals and of the institutions that they created in the middle ages.
The absorbing subject of sexuality in the Middle Ages is examined in 19 original articles written specifically for this "Handbook" by the major authorities in their scholarly specialties. The study of medieval sexuality poses problems for the indices in standard sources rarely refer to sexual topics, and standard secondary sources often ignore the material or say little about it. Yet a vast amount of research is available, and the information is accessible to the student who knows where to look and what to look for. This volume is a valuable guide to the material and an indicator of what subjects are likely to yield fresh scholarly rewards.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval History, Philosophy, Gender Studies, Religion, Medieval

460 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

About the author

Vern Leroy Bullough (July 24, 1928 – June 21, 2006) was an American historian and sexologist.

He was a distinguished professor emeritus at the State University of New York (SUNY), Faculty President at California State University, Northridge, a past president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, past Dean of natural and social sciences at the Buffalo State College in Buffalo, New York, one of the founders of the American Association for the History of Nursing, and a member of the editorial board of Paidika: The Journal of Paedophilia.

Until her death in 1996 he was married to Bonnie Bullough

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rather interesting book that serves as an introduction to medieval sexuality and is divided into three sections – sexual norms, variations on these norms (e.g. homosexuality, cross-dressing) and cultural issues (looking at literature analysis and non-Christian viewpoints). The Handbook of Medieval Sexuality was published in 1996 and, judging from its introduction, this was a time when the study of historical sexuality was fairly new. As such, the book does show its datedness (especially in the chapter about cross-dressing, which uses a term that is now considered offensive, and a general lack of discussion about transgenderism) and most chapters call for further research. On the whole, I found the first two sections fairly readable and interesting, with the third section on cultural issues less so. It’s worthwhile looking at, but one should be aware of and prepared for its failings.

[Elen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty hit or miss, some of the articles are incredibly well written, some of them are not, some of them (bizarrely) contradict other ones, and the last section (literary crit) seems tacked on. Probably more like 3.5 stars though because the good bits are GOOD and honestly there is nothing quite like reading weird medieval ideas about sex. Sorely disappointed that the book did not include the recipe for pseudo-Galen's "Drug that makes lesbianism so desirable to women that they would keep busy with it and passionately lust for it forgetting all about their work" like come on throw me a bone here Jacqueline Murray.

[M F]

Some interesting articles, but not as immediately useful as I'd hoped. Also it uses endnotes, not footnotes. I dislike endnotes.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seemed like a lot of the essays were about what sort of further research could be done on their topics.Why not write up that research instead of telling me what can be done? I didn't read this book to find out what can be done but what has been done.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, but not quite as solid as Cadden's text.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this every once in a while, interesting historical info.

[Becca]

Very general info-- I focused on the s/s love between women. Crossdressing section is helpful when looking at the hierarchy of individuals in middle ages.