Arranged Marriages and Political Alliances
Marriage in medieval England was primarily a practical arrangement, often orchestrated by families to secure alliances, land, or wealth. Love was not typically a primary consideration, and marriages were frequently arranged between individuals who had never met.
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2. Chivalric Love and Courtly Romance
Despite the prevalence of arranged marriages, medieval literature and culture celebrated the ideals of courtly love and chivalry. Knights and nobles were expected to demonstrate their devotion to noblewomen through acts of gallantry, poetry, and courtly rituals.
3. Extramarital Affairs and Illegitimate Children
Extramarital affairs were not uncommon among the nobility, and many noblewomen bore children outside of marriage. Illegitimate children were often acknowledged and provided for by their fathers, although they were generally excluded from inheritance rights and social status.
4. Sexual Double Standards
While extramarital affairs were tolerated to some extent among men, women were held to much stricter standards of sexual behavior. Female chastity was highly valued, and women who engaged in premarital or extramarital sex risked social ostracism and even legal punishment.
5. Contraception and Abortifacients
Medieval England had a variety of contraceptive methods and abortifacients, although their efficacy and safety were often dubious. Common methods included herbal remedies, charms, and amulets, as well as the use of animal bladders or intestines as makeshift condoms.