Episcopal Sexuality in Medieval England

Authors

  • Katherine Harvey Birkbeck, University of London

Abstract

The literature on medieval sainthood is substantial, rich and varied, but on one point it is almost unanimous: sexuality, and in particular virginity, was of far greater significance to female saints than to their male counterparts. This paper uses a case study of the saint-bishops of medieval England (c.1100-c.1400) to suggest that the significance of male virginity has been underestimated. This cohort of bishops displayed a keen interest in the ideal of male virginity, both in their lives and their writings. Virginity was also a key attribute in the formation of episcopal reputations for sanctity, and features prominently in the episcopal vitae of this era.

Author Biography

  • Katherine Harvey, Birkbeck, University of London
    • Katherine Harvey is a medieval historian, specialising in the bishops of later medieval England. She completed her PhD at King’s College London in 2012, and has since worked as an Associate Lecturer at Birkbeck (2012-13) and as Postdoctoral Fellow for the Society for Renaissance Studies (2013-14). Since September 2014 she has been a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow at Birkbeck, University of London.

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Published

2017-04-05

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 2 (2017)

Section

Studies