Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
What Was Sex Like In Medieval Times?
Feb 8, 2024
Explore the raunchiness of sex in medieval times, including the impact of celibacy on monks and the reaction of their wives. Learn about the perception of sex and beauty, hygiene and sex work, and the significance of pregnancy, sexual diseases, and naughty nuns in medieval society.
39:54
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Quick takeaways
- Medieval attitudes towards sex were contradictory, with the church seeing it as sinful but necessary for procreation, and the concept of balance playing a role in understanding its impact on health.
- Dating and courtship in the Middle Ages involved considerations of love, social status, and physical proximity, with arranged marriages common among the upper classes and social events like church gatherings facilitating meeting potential partners.
Deep dives
Sexual beliefs and practices in the Middle Ages
In this podcast episode, Catherine Harvey discusses the sexual beliefs and practices in the Middle Ages. She highlights the contradictory attitudes towards sex in the church, where it was seen as both sinful and necessary for procreation. Medical views on the body shaped their understanding of sex, with the concept of balance playing a role. They believed that excess or lack of sex could be detrimental to one's health. The podcast also explores the topics of contraception, sexual diseases, and the role of women in medieval society.
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