Versions of virginity in late medieval England

Book Description

Medieval England's understanding of virginity reveals profound insights into the complex relationship between spiritual ideals and lived human experience. Sarah Salih explores how theological writers envisioned virginity as a perfect, eternal state, yet discovered that when practiced by real individuals, it became inherently imperfect and dependent on circumstances.

This scholarly examination uncovers the fascinating contradictions within medieval spiritual thought. Through the stories of virgin martyrs, Salih demonstrates how virginity was paradoxically created through public suffering and torture, challenging conventional interpretations of these narratives. Rather than viewing these accounts as exploitative, the author reveals how they illuminate the contested nature of the virgin body and its spiritual significance.

The book delves into monastic life, showing how nuns collectively constructed and maintained virginity through symbolic practices like veiling and enclosure. Salih's analysis extends to figures like Margery Kempe, whose spiritual journey challenges traditional boundaries of virginal identity. When viewed through the lens of virginity theory, even unconventional spiritual seekers could claim authentic virginal status.

Perhaps most intriguingly, Salih argues that virginity was neither stable nor natural, but rather active, contested, and vulnerable while remaining recoverable. This perspective offers contemporary readers a nuanced understanding of how medieval spiritual communities navigated the tension between idealized religious concepts and the messy realities of human spiritual practice.

For those interested in the evolution of religious thought and the complexities of spiritual identity, this work provides valuable historical context for understanding how communities have long grappled with translating divine ideals into earthly experience.