‘Disgusting acts of shamelessness’: sexual misconduct and the deconstruction of royal authority in the eleventh century
Megan McLaughlin
That the sexual misconduct of a king had political ramifications is clear from large number texts throughout entire Middle Ages. At no point, however, was royal sexuality more salient in writing than second half eleventh century. This not simply reflection contemporary efforts to reform morality. Neither can charges immorality be dismissed as mere rhetorical devices, intended blacken king's character (although they certainly did that). On contrary, sex doing important ideological work this period. article focuses on particularly savage set accusations made against King (after 1084, Emperor) Henry IV Germany (1056–1106). It argues that long-standing association between desire and privacy, shame disorder worked powerfully century justify rebellion, separate king, libidinous individual, ‘majesty’ office he held.
Early Medieval Europe