Having sex in the Middle Ages was very difficult (7 photos)

Forget about romance, beautiful damsels in distress, and noble knights in shining armor on white horses. Because expressing love—namely, having sex—in the Middle Ages, from the 5th to the 15th century, was very problematic.





For example, it was considered a sin to make love on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. It was also considered a sin to have sex during the day and naked. If a woman was menstruating, pregnant, or breastfeeding, it was even more so. The same applied during Lent, Easter, and other church holidays and fasts. In fact, sex was permitted if the couple wanted to have a child, but caresses, indecent kisses, and "lewd" positions were prohibited. And God forbid anyone should experience pleasure during the process—no way.



As you can imagine, finding a secluded spot to retire was also difficult in those distant feudal times—the spaces were often cramped, cold, and damp. Fields or a barn full of hay were even more comfortable.





To help people in this difficult matter, the church had a book or church code of punishments, the "Penitential," which discussed the period for conceiving children. According to this book, all positions except the "missionary" position were considered sinful and forbidden.



Oral and anal sex, as well as masturbation, were also strictly prohibited—these types of contact did not result in the birth of children, which, according to purists, was the only reason for lovemaking. Violators were punished harshly: three years of repentance and service to the church for sex in any of the "deviant" positions.



But in those days, it wasn't only the church that condemned any inappropriate forms of love—royalty, nobles, and landowners fiercely punished amorous youths. The French King Philip IV, known as Philip the Fair, once discovered that some of his knights were involved in relationships with his three unmarried daughters. He arrested and executed the men, and exiled the daughters to a convent to atone for their sins.



Interestingly, prostitution flourished in the Middle Ages and was either ignored by the church or considered a necessary evil. Even Thomas Aquinas, the Italian philosopher and theologian, believed that "if prostitutes are abolished, the power of passions will destroy everything."



Brothels operated in many cities, and prostitutes could be identified by their attire, which featured a bright yellow stripe. Members of the upper classes were often among the regular clients.

How glad we are that we don't live in the Middle Ages.