Sex in the Middle Ages

Journey back to the Middle Ages to see how something as private and personal as sex affected medieval society at every level, from the king to the common man.

Overview

Course No. 30660

Professor McNabb and medieval experts explore in 12 revealing lectures:

• How Christianity shaped medieval sexual norms and taboos
• The realities behind clerical celibacy and marital expectations
• Bawdy literature from fabliaux to Chaucer’s tales
• Political marriages and royal scandals

From chastity belts to courtly love, this course uncovers how medieval attitudes still influence modern views of sexuality.

Video Lectures

Part 1: Religious Foundations

1. Medieval Sexual Worldviews (28 min)
   Christian theology’s impact on sexual morality.

2-4. Rules and Transgressions (23-29 min)
Procreation doctrines, clerical influence, punishment for “sins”.

Part 2: Social Realities

5-6. Class and Gender Dynamics (25-29 min)
Sexual violence, status differences, obscene literature.

7-8. Noble Intimacies (24-26 min)
Political marriages, Arthurian romances, royal scandals.

Part 3: Cultural Perspectives

9-12. Beyond Christendom (25-26 min)
Brothels, interfaith relations, enduring myths, modern legacies.