Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Record Number: 6910
  • Author(s)/Creator(s): Phillips , Kim M.
  • Contributor(s):
  • Title: Desiring Virgins: Maidens, Martyrs, and Femininity in Late Medieval England [The author explores the attractions of virgin martyr stories for young women in the audience. Phillips suggests that the treatment of sexual themes in these stories should be described as "parasexual" (borrowed from studies of Victorian bar maids), cases in which sexuality is acknowledged but is controlled. At the same time the young virgin martyrs are presented as beautiful, glamorous, and dressed in fashionable clothing; all of this was of prime interest to the young women in the audience. Title note supplied by Feminae.].
  • Source: Youth in the Middle Ages.  Edited by P. J. P. Goldberg and Felicity Riddy.  York Medieval Press in association with the Boydell Press, 2004.  Pages 45 - 59.
  • Description:
  • Article Type: Essay
  • Subject (See Also): Adolescents Beauty Bokenham, Osbern, Author- Legendys of Hooly Wummen Capgrave, John, Author- Life of Saint Katherine Femininity Girls Hagiography Lydgate, John, Poet- Life of St. Margaret Martyrs Patronage, Literary Sexuality in Literature Virginity Wome
  • Award Note:
  • Geographic Area: British Isles
  • Century: 15
  • Primary Evidence:
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  • Table:
  • Abstract:
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  • Author's Affiliation: University of Auckland
  • Conference Info: - , -
  • Year of Publication: 2004.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN/ISBN: 1903153131