Happy Valentines Day! Here are some medieval valentines for you all.
There are so many medieval drawings to choose from when it comes to love and seduction. Prior to the rise of puritan Christianity, European art enjoyed a great deal of bawdiness and irreverence. Take these drawings for example:
( I guess dogs always awkwardly watched the deed go down)
I don’t know who the guy in the bed is, but at least they look like they’re having a fun time? Maybe? Consenting adults and whatnot? These guys definitely are not having fun:
That’s not even the tip (lol) of the iceberg when it comes to medieval depictions of boning. are there so many? It’s most likely because medieval manuscripts often convey important cultural stories that need to be passed down for future generations. This means biblical stories, stories about the royal bloodline, stories of intrigue, and proof of royal marital consummation.
There were also some drawings that seem perhaps sexual, but are most likely just medical drawings. Like this one:
Not sure what medical condition they’re suffering from, but it seems… uncomfortable.
There were also plenty of drawings that were intentionally bawdy in the marginalia. The number of times folks have sent me the famous nuns harvesting penises must be in the hundreds by now, but there are plenty more where that came from. Butts are the most common marginal figures, but there are some surprises, too.
Like, what’s happening here, for example?
Or here?
Or here…
SHE’S RIDING A DRAGON, OK?
I could go on, but I probably shouldn’t assault your eyes much longer. I hope your day is filled with love, in whatever shape that takes.
Happy Valentine’s Day, my beloveds.
Yours affectionately,
❤️🔥Becca Lee, Haunted Librarian❤️🔥