Conquerors, Brides, and Concubines: Interfaith Relations and Social Power in Medieval Iberia by Simon Barton
Núria Silleras-Fernández
Reviewed by: Conquerors, Brides, and Concubines: Interfaith Relations Social Power in Medieval Iberia by Simon Barton Núria Silleras-Fernández Iberia. By Barton. [The Middle Ages Series.] (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. 2015. Pp. viii, 264. $59.95. ISBN 978-0-8122-4675-9.) In Concubines analyzes the varied complicated ways which group identity, interfaith sexuality, power interacted medieval Iberia—centering on relationships between Muslims Christians. He focusses sexual liaisons showing how they were “conducted, perceived, manipulated, above all, controlled” (p. 4), attitudes towards this mixing changed over time, as a reaction to local circumstances general trends. Even though book centers period, both within al-Andalus Christian dominated lands, it also explores reverberation that cultural memory those had Iberian culture. Indeed, popular festivals continue be celebrated some towns even today serve reminder deep sense difference exists Spain, exoticism has been endowed with thanks region’s Islamic past. The is divided into four chapters framed an introduction conclusion. Chapter One, “Sex Power,” early from eight eleventh centuries, time Muslim lords took women wives concubines. These unions have understood not only tactic for building diplomatic alliances, but means their superiority, tool psychological warfare. remaining deal central late was characterized progressive shifting favor Christian-ruled realms eventually manifested itself at end fifteenth century form policies mass conversion or expulsion, establishment Inquisition dedicated ending religious heterodoxy Two, “Marking Boundaries,” examines why after about 1050 marriage declined secular authorities harden positions, condemned discouraged sex—a development came partly consequence new balance power, reform papacy, canon law. From [End Page 111] twelfth onwards, intercourse “outsiders,” say Jewish men, provoked great anxiety—in did across Latin West. following chapter, “Damsels Distress,” political discourse against sex, focuses narratives presented vulnerable, unprotected, victims men’s voracity. final “Lust Love Frontier,” series mostly literary texts display interesting, parallel narratives. On one hand, there are stories who sought partners therefore disgraced, and, other tales gaining social standing precisely because engaged converted Christianity—which served symbol submitting righteous virtuous power. This important contribution field studies. engages array sources diverse laws, charters, letters, polemical texts, legends, hagiography, through them constructs very detailed nuanced picture complexities mis-cegenation. lucidly illustrates “the symbolic importance relationship identity” 142). going interest scholars focusing specific academic fields, such Mediterranean, gender studies, any scholar student interested history literature Europe Ages. Colorado Boulder Copyright © 2017 Catholic America Press
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