Historians tend to be reticent about applying the phrase ‘sexual orientation’ to periods before the nineteenth century, but should we be so quick to dismiss the concept? Focusing on depictions of virgins and sodomites — two seemingly opposing categories — this talk explores how medieval encounters with sex were shaped by concepts of space and […]
While sodomy in Medieval Britain and Europe was seemingly regarded as unmentionable, artists developed strategies of depicting taboo practices. Dr Robert Mills (UCL History of Art) examines an era of art history that has hitherto been much neglected in studies of forbidden sexual practices and images of judgment and punishment. (From Soundcloud) Bob Mills also […]
A collection of three medieval English poems, translated by Tolkien for the modern-day reader and containing romance, tragedy, love, sex and honour. Read by Terry Jones. The unabridged version length is 4.5 hours, and can be purchased here. [excerpt↓] Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl are two poems by an unknown author written […]
Interpretation by a French medieval music performer, Maurice Moncozet. This singer and multi-instrumentalist focuses on the relationship between Western medieval music and traditional music from the Mediterranean basin. Official website Featured image by ©Sascha Duensing http://sirius-sdz.deviantart.com/
Leading authority on the Middle Ages, Professor Robert Bartlett presents a series which examines the way we thought during medieval times. He unearths remarkable evidence of the complex passions of medieval men and women. The Church preached hatred of the flesh, promoted the cult of virginity and condemned woman as the sinful heir to Eve. […]
The Troubadour’s Lady Reconsidered Again Author(s): Don A. Monson Source: Speculum, Vol. 70, No. 2 (Apr., 1995), pp. 255-274 Published by: Medieval Academy of America Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2864893 This article can be retrieved from JSTOR digital library.
A substantial article for understanding key characteristics of Courtly love and its distinction from Courtliness. You will learn about its origins, influences, crucial terms, and its principles demonstrated by quotations of significant authors. Courtly Love and Courtliness Author(s): Alexander J. Denomy Source: Speculum, Vol. 28, No. 1 (Jan., 1953), pp. 44-63 Published by: Medieval Academy […]