Performing virginity and testing chastity in the Middle Ages

Kathleen Coyne Kelly

"Performing Virginity and Testing Chastity in the Middle Ages challenges the belief that female virginity can be reliably and unambiguously defined, tested, and verified. Kelly analyzes a variety of medieval Western European texts, including medical treatises and their classical antecedents, and historical and legal documents. The main focus is the representation of both female and male virgins in saints' legends and romances. The author also explores examples from contemporary fiction, television, and film in which testing virginity is a theme."--Jacket.

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