The Fires of Lust: Sex in the Middle Ages

Product Information

SARAH VINE: Royal biographer Omid Scobie may be a leech... but the treachery of Harry was so much worse Gisele Bundchen showcases her toned tummy as she and rumored boyfriend Joaquim Valente enjoy Costa Rica getaway with her children Although Mary was pre-eminent among the medieval virgin-saints, she had numerous popular counterparts, notably the Virgin Martyrs. These Roman girls were the heroines of highly formulaic tales in which they converted to Christianity against the wishes of their pagan families and died in defence of their faith and their virginity, often after undergoing extreme physical and mental trials. One of the best known was St Agnes, a thirteen-year-old girl who faced torments including imprisonment in a brothel and a miraculously unsuccessful burning before she was eventually stabbed to death. Moreover, such powerfully disturbing stories were not confined to the history books. When Oda of Hainault’s (d. 1158) parents arranged a marriage for her, she insisted that she intended to preserve her virginity for her heavenly spouse and cut off her nose with a sword. Although Oda lived as a nun for many years after this incident, her hagiographer presented her as a martyr for virginity. Doctor Who 60th Anniversary: Viewers left 'sobbing' after Wilf's fate is revealed after actor Bernard Cribbins died aged 93

Which rugby-playing hunk broke Kate Middleton's heart (before she bagged a fairytale prince of the realm)? Ron Howard farewells his son, wife and granddaughter in Surfers Paradise as he prepare to start filming new movie With unabashed directness, a delicate touch of wit, and constant humanity, Katherine Harvey surveys the world of medieval sex and sexuality. Throughout The Fires of Lust she situates the twin themes of morality and medicine in the social and material world that medieval people inhabited. What those people thought, felt, feared and hoped for all play a part, alongside the pronouncements of theologians, lawmakers and intellectuals. Here, in its messy complexity, is medieval life – life laid bare, but always with respect and care. A triumph.’ — John H. Arnold, Professor of Medieval History, University of Cambridge, author of Belief and Unbelief in the Middle Ages

A vote for Nigel Farage's lot would put Starmer in No 10, warns Rishi Sunak... but he admits he's 'too busy' to watch the former UKIP leader on I'm A Celeb Katherine Harvey's illuminating novel The Fires of Lust: Sex in the Middle Ages offers a peak into the bedrooms of ordinary mediaeval men and women living in western Europe.

The Bear star Jeremy Allen White reunites with estranged wife Addison Timlin to treatdaughters Ezer, 4, and Dolores, 2, to family fun at a park in LA

Beauty fans race to buy new ceramide-rich skincare line that's so effective fine lines virtually DISAPPEAR: 'Have noticed results after using it morning and night' Danny Cipriani's wife Victoria 'devastated after seeing snaps of him looking cosy with Jowita Przystalat their first training session for Strictly Christmas special Doctor Who 60th Anniversary: Viewers laud Yasmin Finney's debut after she steals the show as Donna Noble's transgender daughter Rose Big Brother's Jordan Sangha and Henry Southan reveal they've ditched their 'platonic' moniker and share plans for their first date

Strictly's Annabel Croft and partner Johannes Radebe left SPEECHLESS as they're awarded their first TEN for 'fiery and dramatic' Pasodoble We revealed Banksy's name 15 years ago - so why was the arty set still insisting last week that it's a mystery? Is it because it would be harder for a privately educated chap called Robin Gunningham to flog his graffiti for millions? As well as impotence, several medicines claimed to make the penis bigger including chopped earthworms or leeches mixed with jujube oil.I'm A Celebrity's Nella Rose insists she andFred Sirieix are pals again after sheFUMED at First Dates star for 'disrespectful' jibe 'about her late dad' A. Well, outside of romantic relationships, kissing on the lips is not done in the United Kingdom today, but in the Middle Ages it was not necessarily erotic and could just be evidence of simple affection, or [done] to seal a political agreement. There was also a kiss of peace. Bethenny Frankel shares, 53, series of sweet snaps with her mini-me daughter Bryn Hoppy, 13, from Thanksgiving: 'Thankful'