Sexuality in Medieval Poland in a European Context

This book explores the development of sexual ethics in medieval Poland, focusing on how the process of Christianization integrated Poland into the Western European cultural sphere, and how the adoption of Christian norms and practices significantly shaped its moral and legal views on sexuality.

Drawing on a wide array of primary sources, the study highlights the tension between official ecclesiastical views and the lived experiences of individuals, while also addressing the ways in which various aspects of sexuality -- such as marital life, chastity, adultery, sexual misconduct, and prostitution -- were understood, regulated, and punished by both secular and religious authorities. It analyzes the influence of Western European sexual ethics, especially through the lens of the Church’s doctrines, and contrasts these with the social and legal realities of life in medieval Poland. The book also examines how Christian ideals of love and sexuality intersected with local cultural practices, particularly in the context of courtly love.

This book is aimed at scholars and students of medieval history, religious studies, and gender studies, as well as those interested in the history of sexuality. It will appeal to anyone researching the convergence of Christianity and medieval Polish society.

Karolina Morawska holds a PhD in History from the University of Warsaw and is a researcher at the Institute of History of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IH PAN). She specializes in medieval studies, with a particular focus on gender, sexuality, and their intersection with social and cultural practices in the Middle Ages.