2002/08/01 by Becky R. Lee · 1 citation
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Arts and Humanities · #Historical Economic and Social Studies #Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes #Rite #Rite of passage #Childbirth #Negotiation #History #Sociology #Ancient history #Gender studies #Law #Pregnancy #Political science #Anthropology #Social science
paper · doi:10.1111/1468-0424.00264
openalex publication_date 2002/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/23
This study examines the recollections of medieval English men, found in proof–of–age inquests, regarding their participation in the rite of the purification of women after childbirth. Because the rite of purification was reserved to women, scant attention has been paid to how this rite and the customs surrounding it played in the lives of medieval men. These men’s recollections situate postpartum purification within the festivities celebrating the birth of a man’s heir. For them, it is a public event celebrating paternity and lineage, and a forum for the negotiation of social relationships.