ࡱ>  Root Entry( Jr؝MatOST +؝؝MMMN0%ND ( JrMicrosoft Works MSWorksWPDoc9qS<<$3!%# #####=/d#1!t$#,#T Gays and Lesbians in Period Times By His Lordship Heinrich Alois vonSpeyer The categorization and subjectification of sexuality is a new concept, less than 150 years. Prior to this sexuality was merely a part of life, identified and in some instances codified in law perhaps but, it was not viewed as distinct from human nature. The tolerance of gays & lesbians is well documented and understood in the context of ancient Greek and Roman times; however there is much that is misunderstood about the status of gays and lesbians in the Dark, Middle and Renaissance ages. Paul Halsall, a noted historian, states that there is a clear dichotomy between the definitions and expectations of same-sex relations in period times, which is further clouded by the prejudices of the modern mindset. There was no real need to classify in period times anyones orientation people were as they were people. Also, to the modern mind all same-sex relations are predicated on intimate sexual relations while the mediaeval mind included a much broader range of expectations to relationships beyond sex. Same-sex relations were not limited to sexual pairings but, included profound friendships where the person involved exhibited very intense emotions without ANY sexual components. There are rituals where such friendships were sanctified by Church officials, they are referred to as amicitacum. These ceremonies were practiced in many parts of Eastern Europe and based on some evidence have Papal sanction. As to whether or not such unions included pairings that included sexual relations or not is impossible to either prove or disprove. The mere fact that they took place suggests that the stigma often associated with same-sex pairings, primarily male, did not have the same impact it does today. Note, people who had such friendships still married and had children, but the spouses rarely expected or got the same attention accorded the great friend. While the law codes of period kingdoms often included prohibitions on sodomy three things need to be clearly understood. First, sodomy did not have the singular definition we think it has. Sodomy in period times included: not just same-sex intercourse but all forms of intercourse that was not procreative in nature regardless of the sex of those involved. In some periods and parts of Europe it also included; any position other than the missionary and with those who were either not Christian or were excommunicated. Second, that while such ordinances appear in the law books, in the court records actual prosecutions on these grounds were rare. The most written about cases, including the inquisition, are atypical in that they involve accusations and had motives other than law enforcement. Finally third, as often as these laws were enacted secularly they were as often repealed or simply omitted when the law books were updated. Hardly a rousing endorsement of general sentiment against gays and lesbians. The Church was vehemently against any kind of sensual pleasure. The Church took great strides to promote any kind of pleasure was innately evil and should be avoided. Even when sex was used for procreation it was to be as pleasureless as possible. Saints Jerome and Ambrose regularly wrote against all carnality. This repression was made against all people, straight and gay. Like all repressive progroms such prohibitions were difficult to enforce, and bred secret, and occasionally not so secret, rebellion. There is evidence, in the complaints of some clergy, that in the confessionals people simply did not confess to any kind of sexual sin. People in mediaeval Europe were private people in many ways. While bravura was commonplace amongst the young, more mature men and women were more circumspect about their private dealings. Declarations of amourous intentions were reserved for private poems and letters. Troubadours who often carried the love songs of the age and sang of loving friendships were often singing about idealized couples or of people long dead. All of this met with the codes of Courtly Love. Marriage was a contract and had little to do with love or romance. Extra-marital affairs were very common. Courtly Love set standards for just how this was to be done and secrecy was paramount. Gossip and speculation was tolerated but actual proof of infidelity was scandalous and in some cases treason. Only three people were to know for sure; the couple obviously and a trusted go between. This practical arrangement allowed both married parties extra-marital affairs with whomever they wished. Affairs could be suspected but never proven. This allowed not only straight dalliances but gay ones too. As to pre-Christian Europe there is little clear documentation, writing and books are a Christian monastic thing. However, a few myths of the gods and goddesses, and heroes have survived. Norse and Teutonic legends indicate that while there were clear and defined roles for each gender a certain amount of same-sex sexual relations was accepted. The gods; Odinn, Freyr, Loki, and Thorr, and the heroes; Helgi Hungingbana, and Grettir, all had their gay relations noted in eddas and poems. Grettir is in fact noted primarily for his extreme and robust omni-sexual prowess. Roman accounts of the Goths make mention of captured warriors who professed such love of a fellow warrior they would rather die than be separated. Lesbians were by the nature of Norse society exempt from any kind of real repression, since that so long as women fulfilled the roles of wife and mother they were essentially free to pursue any lesbian relationship they wished. Women had the power to divorce their husbands, this provided leverage over husbands. Such a threat was real in that divorce brought great shame to the husband, but none to the wife. Besides the women had their own quarters that excluded men where they could conduct themselves as they chose. In the courts of Europe gay networks often became quite prevalent. The courts of ; Charlemagne, William Rufus, Frederick the Great, Edward II, Richard I, Ivan the Great, Vladimir Monomohk, Elizabeth I and James I all had gay circles that either enjoyed their protection or participation. The accounts of such circles taking place in the courts of Popes are quite common. It should be noted though that reports of some Popes having male brothels and/or orgies are often come from detractors or political rivals and should be treated accordingly. Some monasteries and cities appear to have their own gay sub-groups. Cities such as; Paris, Chartre, Venice, Rome, Cologne, and Renaissance London, all had gay networks within their walls. Such circles were not just the providence of urban centres, rural areas were not exempt from having gay people present. Letters of rural clergy indicate that gays and lesbians also existed in their precincts. In all the above instances it is clear that while the Church may have publicly professed an aversion to any kind of sensual experience, people were people and sought out pleasurable physical and emotional relations. These relations included same-sex relations. Society tacitly accepted gay relations like it accepted all sexual relations, as something private. Public life may have been quite regimented against any kind of pleasure too overtly displayed but, behind the bedchamber doors or away from prying eyes sexual desires were acted on and enjoyed. Also, public life permitted the existence of friendships of a great and profound nature that could be recognized and accepted. On the whole the people who lived prior to the nineteenth century in Europe enjoyed relatively rich and diverse romantic lives. We have in the Society taken great strides to improve upon the original middle ages with our current middle ages. It seems that the acceptance and recognition of the privacy of the desires of people is something we should bring forward. At the same time we should leave behind the concept of forced loveless marriages which created the need for an organized structure for adultery. Already the Society has made great strides in balancing the best concepts of period times with those of today, this seems a logical progression. 3!{')SUDF #%]_13<qq !<>1!3!3!C<3!DETimes New Roman =/=/dCompObjU