Homosexuality in Britain (5th/6th century AC): Celts, Saxons, Picts and Scots

[lucre_noin]

I usually write a lot of arthurian stories but this time I'd love to document well myself about homosexuality and arthurian times.
The story is in 5th/6th century and the societies/cultures in the stories are: Celts, Picts, Scots, Saxons and Celts conquered by Romans. And, of course, one of the male characters is in love with another male character.

Comments

[seasight]

When I was studying medieval Irish/Scottish literature and poetry, there was an awful lot of emphasis on being the Manliest Man In The Room (with bonus Super Hot Wife); that seems to imply that homosexuality wasn't an accepted thing by the 5th c AD.

Sorry that I can't think of anything more specific. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will help out!

[lucre_noin]

That's interesting! I'll look for some Scottish texts to see how the woman and the men are viewed.
Thank you very much : D

[charlycrash]

there was an awful lot of emphasis on being the Manliest Man In The Room

I have no idea about the societies in question, but bear in mind that this being antithetical to being homosexual is a cultural value and not something logically necessary. Thus, hot wife aside, it may not mean anything.

The Spartans were about the most absurdly macho society in history, and they were so thoroughly used to homosexuality that on their wedding nights they had to get their brides to dress up like boys.

[seasight]

That is true.

Re: (TW: talk of rape)

[charlycrash]

I had no idea that it had been on Cracked - I learned it via Bettany Hughes, who iirc also takes the "getting male Spartans used to heterosexuality" angle. I had no idea it was specified by Lycurgus. Interesting.

Incidentally, this is why Leonidas' snipe at the Athenians as being "boy-lovers" in 300 irritated me so much (amongst many, many other things in that film - oddly, the thing that ended up playing on my mind most, other than the almost instant intentional dropping of the phalanx, was Gerard Butler's huge beard, given Lycurgus specified that Spartans were to be clean-shaven).

[rhiannon_s]

Remember that homosexual doesn't automatically mean effeminate, that is a relatively modern idea. Manly could mean, stuck it in anyone/thing that couldn't get out the way in time, and also didn't let my manliness get stolen by those women because we only do it with other guys. Or even, sex has no link with masculinity at all.

Humans are complicated.

[seasight]

This is true. :p