Performing Virginity and Testing Chastity in the Middle Ages

by Kathleen Coyne Kelly

Book Overview

This book challenges the belief that female virginity can be reliably and unambiguously defined, tested and verified. Kelly analyses a variety of medieval Western European texts - including medical treatises and their Classical antecedents - and historical and legal documents. The main focus is the representation of both male and female virgins in saints' legends and romances. The author also makes a comparative study of examples from contemporary...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415758246
• ISBN13: 9780415758246
• Release Date: August 2014
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"