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OverviewThis book examines discourses around infertility and views of childlessness in medieval and early modern Europe. Whereas in our own time reproductive behaviour is regulated by demographic policy in the interest of upholding the intergenerational contract, premodern rulers strove to secure the succession to their thrones and preserve family heritage. Regardless of status, infertility could have drastic consequences, above all for women, and lead to social discrimination, expulsion, and divorce. Rather than outlining a history of discrimination against or the suffering of infertile couples, this book explores the mechanisms used to justify the unequal treatment of persons without children. Exploring views on childlessness across theology, medicine, law, demonology, and ethics, it undertakes a comprehensive examination of ‘fertility’ as an identity category from the perspective of new approaches in gender and intersectionality research. Shedding light on how premodern views have shaped understandings our own time, this book is highly relevant interest to students and scholars interested in discourses around infertility across history. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Regina Toepfer , Kate Sotejeff-WilsonPublisher: Springer International Publishing AG Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan Edition: 1st ed. 2022 Weight: 0.354kg ISBN: 9783031089794ISBN 10: 3031089790 Pages: 255 Publication Date: 24 November 2023 Audience: Professional and scholarly , Professional & Vocational Format: Paperback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: Manufactured on demand We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier. Table of ContentsReviewsAuthor InformationRegina Toepfer is Chair of Medieval German Literature at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |