Gone Medieval Medieval Sex Work
Mar 26, 2024
Medieval historians Dr. Eleanor Janega and Dr. Kate Lister delve into the complexities of medieval sex work. They discuss the coexistence of scholars and sex workers in the same buildings, societal attitudes towards commerce and censorship, regulations on attire and health, the ongoing struggle with moral implications, and historical rescue attempts. This episode contains explicit language and content.
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Parisian Brothels
- Jacques de Vittry, a 13th-century Parisian theologian, lamented the city's prostitution problem.
- He noted brothels operating below schools, creating a clash between education and the sex trade.
Sex Work and Society
- The history of sex work reveals societal attitudes towards sex, women, and commerce.
- Authorities cycle between toleration and crackdowns, reflecting anxieties and moral concerns.
Augustine's Influence
- St. Augustine's views on prostitution influenced medieval thought.
- He compared it to a necessary sewer, a view that shaped perceptions for centuries.