sister_raphael | Entries tagged with feelingsaboutwomen

Look, I know we are all sick of hearing about it, but by now we all understand the challenges I've faced with publishing and the front cover of my book. This week I had dealings with a venue which was hoping to sell my book over the course of a medieval event, but, in an exceptionally tactless way, informed me that they felt the cover was (and I quote) "A bit on the nose" and that it wasn't suitable for a family-friendly festival in their gift shop.

I completely understand that the original cover screams SEX in large, unwieldy letters, which is one of the reasons I printed a dust jacket. That and the nipple censorship thing, of course.

The venue was not particularly happy with the dust jacket either, so with an extremely limited time frame, I got this one off to the printer for a new dust jacket. The venue conceded that this one was (and again, I quote) "A bit better." They insist that the book be wrapped somehow so it can't be perused by potential customers. I really would have just given it all a solid miss for the way they feel, except for the fact that they are actually potentially interested in stocking my book all year round.

Anyway, I'm now waiting for these to arrive, so I can trim them and wrap the books with their new "bit better, less on the nose" jackets.

Mango Publishing in the USA would like to let you know that they are 30% off site-wide, including my book! Have you got your Secret Santa pressie yet?

No? Well then!

When writing about medieval women and sex, one's thoughts turn to gifts of love or companions for our single lady forebears.

Did we like cats? What's not to love?

Cats were often seen as being sexually promiscuous due to their reproductive abilities, so there was a concern that their lustiness might rub off on their female owners, but by and large, cats were seen to be a suitable companion for a woman. Even a nun might have one for a pet, as long as it was not overly coddled and was mainly for catching mice.

For more of medieval women, why not explore more? The Very Secret Sex Lives of Medieval Women is available online and in all good book shops.

Today I sewed some of the pink, ham-coloured wool buttons and I thought it might be a nice idea to photograph a button sitting on top of the cut circle to demonstrate what size circle I start with and what size button I end up with. A fantastic idea, I thought as it's quite a thin wool, so the buttons are quite small.

Anyway, I sat for fully ten minutes looking at the photos and considering whether there was enough time in my life to deal with the hilarious fall out of putting this on social media tomorrow.

I think there is.

Ironic, isn't it, how the n!pple on the cover of my book was censored and this looks more realistic from a casual glance than the artwork ever did. Even though it absolutely is not.

Having some fun tonight updating the tutorials page on my website. I did a share to Faceblergh earlier today and new followers are really enjoying the sewing How To links. I love it when people other than me get excited about medieval clothes.

I'm loving the new banner, which is much like the old one but the photo has been replaced.

This fantastic record, yes, record contains a bevvy of wonderful love songs from the medieval period. Troubadours sang and played songs of lost love, tormented love, love gone wrong and high, pure, courtly love, although it must be said that a lot of the songs were a bit less than they seemed on the surface.

For example, the song below is shown with it's original words and an English translation. It sings so sweetly, but then, at the very end, all is revealed to be not what it seemed.

In keeping with the fine and pleasant weather
I shall lead a gay and carefree life
out of love for my sweet lover whom I love
with all my heart without a base or foolish thought.

And I shall frolic and live for love-
indeed I shall- all for my pleasure and enjoyment
and for my part I wish neither to lie to him
nor to think ill of him.

And I may do so without dishonour
As every lover and his sweetheart knows
There is no harm in loving so, since it does no wrong
If there were, I'd have none of it!

In keeping with the fine and pleasant weather
I shall lead a gay and carefree life
out of love for my sweet lover whom I love
with all my heart without a base or foolish thought.

Husband, husband, shame on you for beating me so
on account of a little flirtation!
Anon. Late 14th century.

Wait, what?

Church records are usually incomplete when it comes to the finer details of court appearances, citing only the bare bones of the cases. This is often frustrating for historical researchers, but it does allow a very small glimpse at the lives of medieval women, and very often, gives them a name.

From Lincoln in England, we find Joan Willys, who was a household servant.

She is named as part of a case in the Visitations records in Lincoln, England where her employer, John Hunt has been taken to task for improper conduct, namely living unmarried and having a sexual relationship with her as his servant.

Joan has taken certain herbs to terminate a pregnancy, but later is married to the man in question. No indication is given whether she was a willing participant in the intimate activities or whether she had no choice and was forced as his household servant. Either way, the use of the word "persuaded" when it comes to the part about ending her pregnancy is used, hinting that perhaps she wasn't entirely on board with that part.

Many medieval women had a strong church background and the fear of hell was absolutely a real thing, so deliberately ending a pregnancy may have been a decision she may not have been comfortable with.

After the Visitation, John and Joan were married, but again, there is no indication whether this was a state desired by both of them. There are a number of reasons why the marriage happened:

1. forced upon them under pain of being removed from the church
2. to legitimise John's child and provide an heir
3. they loved each other

Which of these is true, we will never know.

For more medieval women, the Very Secret Sex Lives of Medieval Women is available online and through all good book sellers.

A song of love, medieval style.

It's all very wistful until we get to the bit where she was cheating on her husband.

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Dust me off!
ho ho ho!
Medieval Cat Ladies
And these are my... buttons.
Website updates
(This is not) a 14th century love song.
Medieval woman: Joan Willys of Harpenden. Forced abortion.
Troubador love

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Rosalie Gilbert

Author & Medieval History Enthusiast

Entries tagged with feelingsaboutwomen

Dust me off!

ho ho ho!

Medieval Cat Ladies

And these are my... buttons.

Website updates

(This is not) a 14th century love song.

Medieval woman: Joan Willys of Harpenden. Forced abortion.

Troubador love