A fascinating look into marriage, children and the intimate lives of English people during the 13th to 15th centuries.
I love the medieval period, so when I saw a review of this book, I had to request a copy from Netgalley.
Because of reading other history books about this era, I wasn’t surprised by much of the information, though I love that Warner wants to set the record straight about medieval life in England. There’s so many lies told about this time period, and it’s great to see more books revealing the truth.
I particularly loved details from The Trotula, a medieval compendium of women’s medicine, and details such as football being a popular game at weddings (as well as beating poultry with sticks – not so fun), but there are lots of other fascinating nuggets that illustration the similarities, and differences, to modern life.
Even though Warner focuses on the very late Middle Ages – the 13th to 15th centuries – her book still suffers from similar tomes about ordinary life in this era. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of written records about daily living (no diaries or journals to gather details from), and most of the details seem to have come from court records and legal documents such as wills.
However, the subject matter is very interesting, and there is a lot of valuable information to be gleaned from this book.
Sex and Sexuality in Medieval England will be released on 31st August 2022 and the hardback is currently available for preorder.
I award Sex and Sexuality in Medieval England…
Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Iseult Murphy 
People had to be tough to live back then. I live such a cushy life with air conditioning and a microwave!
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Yes, I love reading about medieval times but I wouldn’t like to live there! 😂
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Sounds really good. I’ve love to read more about that period, particularly the earlier medieval times in my part of the world (Ireland’s golden age!). Thanks for the review
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Yes, it would be lovely to know more about early medieval Ireland but unfortunately there are so few extant records.
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Great review! Yeah, I would definitely not survive in that time period 😂
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Thanks, Jonny. Neither would I! 😂
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Lol everyone has an irrevocable right to air conditioning, I say! Oh, and Funyuns lol
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I agree! 😂
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Fascinating review of a fascinating book. If I could go back to then I would take all my medicine with me!
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It would be nice to visit for a weekend 😁
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I would like a thatched cottage in the country (with a wood burner and an electric stove and a shower. Also other stuff as well!)
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Yes, a lovely thatched cottage with all the best of 21st century appliances and plumbing.
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Most of my knowledge about this time period comes from Monty Python and The Holy Grail, so I think I’m in pretty good shape.
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Sounds like you’re an expert then.
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I think so.
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