Incest Disguised: Ottonian Influence at Gandersheim and Hrotsvit's Abraham
Regula Meyer Evitt
Unde ego Clamor Validus Gandeshemensis non recusavi illum imitari dictando dum alii colunt legendo quo eodem dictationis genere turpia lascivarum incesta feminarum recitabantur laudabilis sacrarum castimonia virginum iuxta mei facultatem ingenioli celebraraetur. (Therefore I, the strong voice of Gandersheim, have not refused to imitate him writing / whom others laud reading, so that selfsame form composition which acts lascivious women were phrased laudable chastity sacred virgins may be praised within limits my little talent.) (1) I. The Social Context To date, translators prologue Hrotsvit Gandersheim's plays paraphrased passage cited above using metaphorical equivalents like shameless act eschew literal reading as (2) I would suggest conception incest more nuanced than either these alternatives (metaphorical or literal) prevailed tenth-century Northern Europe--one will allow us reconsider Hrotsvit's Fall and Redemption Mary (a.k.a. Abraham) play grows out politics at Ottonian court Gandersheim. Of specific importance is expansion definition spiritual theo-political incest. Early medieval canon law on initially followed Roman civil determining acceptable proximity between family members who wished marry. During first half ninth century, however, both number forbidden degrees (of relation) was increased--from four seven--and method calculating changed. (3) result an exponential increase marriage contracts been viable under earlier definitions but prohibited new restrictions. Within generation, Constance Bouchard observes, a flood permitted by Church grounds consanguinity. (4) Carolingian reforms later monastic papal reveal increasing ecclesiastical fear incestuous relationships through eleventh centuries, do corresponding popular legends hagiographic literature from period--legends Charlemagne's Sin Vitae Saint Wiborda Gaul. (5) Incest prohibitions Middle Ages their most draconian tenth twelfth with ban sexual intercourse only consanguineous relatives seventh degree also persons linked compaternity affinity fourth degree. (6) Not coincidentally, this period saw flourishing Europe founding women's religious houses, Gandersheim among forty-eight founded Saxony alone centuries. (7) Historians agree Saxon nobility established female communities during create safe havens for unmarried girls threatened host social ills including nonconsensual relations members. (8) That houses provided strategic vehicle nuptial control consolidate dynastic ambitions--what Daniel Kline describes opportunities forestall political alliances sequestration daughters (9)--is beyond shadow doubt. However, emphasizes her study consanguinity noble marriages Church's expanded meant England France, Germany well, regularly danger making endogamous unions could reject incestuous. (10) had simply become too closely related intermarry. Kings might secure princesses in purple Byzantium Russia princely sons need Church-approved exogamous marriages--sons identified likely heirs fathers' dynasties. …
Comparative Drama