1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910632473703321

Autore

Toepfer Regina

Titolo

Infertility in Medieval and Early Modern Europe : Premodern Views on Childlessness / / by Regina Toepfer

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Palgrave Macmillan, , 2022

ISBN

3-031-08977-4

Edizione

[1st ed. 2022.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (258 pages)

Disciplina

306.87

306.870940903

Soggetti

Women—History

Europe—History—476-1492

Europe—History—1492-

Fertility, Human

Social history

Women's History / History of Gender

History of Medieval Europe

History of Early Modern Europe

Fertility

Social History

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

1. Introduction -- 2. Theology: salvation stories of (in)fertility -- 3. Medicine: body concepts of (in)fertility -- 4. Jurisprudence: laws on (in)fertility -- 5. Demonology: metaphysics of (in)fertility -- 6. Ethics: ideals of life with (in)fertility -- 7. Epilogue.

Sommario/riassunto

This book examines discourses around infertility and views of childlessness in medieval and early modern Europe. Whereas in our own time reproductive behaviour is regulated by demographic policy in the interest of upholding the intergenerational contract, premodern rulers strove to secure the succession to their thrones and preserve family heritage. Regardless of status, infertility could have drastic consequences, above all for women, and lead to social discrimination,



expulsion, and divorce. Rather than outlining a history of discrimination against or the suffering of infertile couples, this book explores the mechanisms used to justify the unequal treatment of persons without children. Exploring views on childlessness across theology, medicine, law, demonology, and ethics, it undertakes a comprehensive examination of ‘fertility’ as an identity category from the perspective of new approaches in gender and intersectionality research. Shedding light on how premodern views have shaped understandings our own time, this book is highly relevant interest to students and scholars interested in discourses around infertility across history. Regina Toepfer is Chair of Medieval German Literature at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany. .