Wanton Wenches and Wayward Wives
eBook - ePub

Wanton Wenches and Wayward Wives

Peasants and Illicit Sex in Early Seventeenth Century England

  1. 282 pages
  2. English
  3. ePUB (mobile friendly)
  4. Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub

Wanton Wenches and Wayward Wives

Peasants and Illicit Sex in Early Seventeenth Century England

About this book

Originally published in 1979. This highly detailed study of illicit sex amongst the peasantry of Somerset between 1601 and 1660 recreates the atmosphere of the period and questions a number of previously accepted hypotheses. Based on the depositions presented to the county and regional courts during this period, it sheds as much light on prevailing village attitudes as it does on the specific discussion matter. Outlining the precarious existence of the peasant and the supervision of sexual morality, the book looks at pre-marital sex, pregnancy, prostitution, masturbation, contraception, rape, homosexuality and incest, along with the prevailing punishments of the time.
This extensively researched work combines both demographic and literary-based analyses, with analytical and anecdotal approaches to the subject. It presents a rich source of social history, examining and questioning the role of Christian morality as an important factor in influencing the sexual habits of the peasant.

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Yes, you can access Wanton Wenches and Wayward Wives by G. R. Quaife in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Social Sciences & Sociology. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.

Information

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Half Title
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright Page
  5. Table of Contents
  6. Preface
  7. 1 Somerset and the Peasant World
  8. 2 Illicit Sex – Its Nature, Discovery and Extent
  9. 3 The Consenting Spinster
  10. 4 Pregnancy for the Single Woman
  11. 5 Attitudes to Adultery
  12. 6 Widows, Prostitutes and the ‘Unruly Woman’
  13. 7 A Miscellany of Sexual Practice
  14. 8 The Consequences of Illicit Sex
  15. 9 Bastardy – Maintenance of the Child and Punishment Orders
  16. 10 Bastardy – the Social Pattern
  17. Conclusion
  18. Notes and Sources
  19. Appendix I: Glossary – West Country Legal and Seventeenth Century Usage
  20. Appendix II: Maps of Somerset
  21. Index