Changing Sexual Politics of 16th Century Europe

[Queequeg]

Reading Wolf Hall. Thomas makes a mental note of the differences in healthy-practical sexual practices between his generation and that of his father's, before the spread of syphilis across the continent.


Never thought of how much this could have changed Europe, particularly with the hyper-lethal variety of the disease common during this period. Quick trip to the town brothel, and in a few moths your brain is gone and your flesh practically rots.

Anyone know any good papers or books on the subject?

[jimmy olsen]

I just read something in the last couple of days about the explosion in illegitimate children between 1650-1800 Britain.

IIRC, the stat quoted was in 1650 1% of children were born to unwed mothers, but by the 1790s it was 24%, and 40% of brides were pregnant when married.

For the life of me I can't remember where I found this though.

[Richard Hakluyt]

My source is Sharpe's Early Modern England :

"These (illegitimate) births reached their peak around 1600, when they constituted about 4.5% of all births, and then fell to their apparent nadir  (almost certainly the result of under-recording) in the 1650s, when they constituted 0.5%. Illegitimate births formed between 1.5 and 2% of all births until about 1720, when they started to rise, regaining their 1600 level by 1760."

He then points out that the figures need to be treated with caution and also that they followed the same pattern as general fertility which in turn was a reflection of the economy.

The 40% of brides being pregnant is a reflection of different attitudes towards marriage; which was regarded as a process rather than an event. Many couples would start having sex on their engagement, you should recall that breach of promise was a serious offence.

[Phillip V]

We need to return to 1.5% illegitimacy.

[CountDeMoney]

Anyone know any good papers or books on the subject?

Check out the Republican Party platform;  they're trying to get back to the sexual politics of the 16th century.  NYUK NYUK NYUK

[dps]

Anyone know any good papers or books on the subject?

Check out the Republican Party platform;  they're trying to get back to the sexual politics of the 16th century.  NYUK NYUK NYUK

Says the guy who claims to keep women tied up in his basement.

[CountDeMoney]

Says the guy who claims to keep women tied up in his basement.

No, that's Languish that claims that.  For the last fucking time, I don't have a basement.

[Barrister]

Says the guy who claims to keep women tied up in his basement.

No, that's Languish that claims that.  For the last fucking time, I don't have a basement.

I love that when charged with keeping women tied up in your basement, it's the basement part you choose to deny.

[HVC]

Does a storage locker count as a basement?

[Razgovory]

Sex is nothing but the continuation of politics with the admixture other means.

[CountDeMoney]

I love that when charged with keeping women tied up in your basement, it's the basement part you choose to deny.

Why would I want to keep them around?  Conversation?  I boot 'em out by 7am the next day.