Degrading the Male Body: Manhood and Conflict in the High-medieval Low Countries
Stefan Meysman
Recent studies of medieval manhood have prompted scholars to revisit the established research field conflict and directed attention towards role gendered violence in (elite) political culture. However, symbolic impermanent defamations male body proper remain be discussed. Drawing from rich narrative sources high‐medieval Low Countries, this article aims particular at remedying blind spot by scrutinising specific forms violence, such as enforced shearing an elite man's beard or a public mocking his chivalric manly fortitude. It also presents argument that these practices, when used contexts punishment, not only tapped into authority ancient traditions rituals but rather might served clear contemporary interests relating pacification society. Such tactics would helped avoid feud world which aristocratic honour regularly seemed demand it, especially time centralised consolidated structures for management were still lacking religiously inspired peace ideal influenced policy‐making well day‐to‐day social dynamics.
Gender & History