Gender and Sexuality in Medieval Europe
The following excerpt is from the chronicles of the German Bishop Thietmar of Merseburg (975-1018) regarding the customs of the recently Christianized Poland. Poland was still riddled with pagan practices, most of which the Church found disturbing, but some of which were looked upon well.In the land of her husband there exist many different customs, and although many of them are cruel, they nevertheless are deserving of praise. ... If anyone among these people musters enough audacity to seduce another man's wife or behave lecherously, he is met immediately with the following punishment: he is brought to the market bridge and a spike is nailed through is scrotum. Then, a sharp knife is placed next [to him] and he is given a difficult choice: either he dies on the spot or he cuts off that part of the body. ...
I love this class.
I love this class.