Framing Premodern Desires

Sexuality is intrinsically linked with wellbeing, individual identity, and the very beginning of life. In premodern cultures sexual desires were perceived, described, and encountered in a variety of ways. This book explores the history of sexual desires and lays special emphasis on the transformation of sexual ideas, attitudes, and practices; the visibility of moral offences; and the discussion and construction of passions in premodern Europe. Framing Premodern Desires is a path-breaking, interdisciplinary collection of essays on premodern sexual desires. It covers a wide geographical area from northern and eastern Europe to Great Britain, France, and Germany. The writers include both established as well as younger scholars. The introduction is written by a leading expert in the social history of crime and gender, Garthine Walker. This collection of essays adds significantly to our understanding of premodern European history, the history of sexualities, gender studies, religious history, medieval studies, early modern studies, cultural history, legal history, and ethnography.