Aimer Dans L'Espagne Medievale

In medieval Spain, as in anywhere else in the world, love is a feeling that defies constraint. Yet there are certain forms of love that are governed by law, others which law advocates, and many others that assume marginal forms. In an Iberian Peninsula where cohabitating populations were abiding by the laws of Moses, Christ or Mohammed, the Muslim Calife — Commander of the Faithful — or the Christian King — the Vicar of God — were the guarantors of obedience to these three laws. However, despite strict rules against fornication, adultery, homosexuality and rape — particularly with members of other religions — and equally stringent provisions about betrothals, marriage, and family duties, the various manifestations of love seemed to be lawless. Spaniards of the Middle Ages, believing that Creation was good and was intended by God for the enjoyment of humankind, never did consider sex a sin. At worst, they viewed it as a minor offence and, supported in that belief by their physicians, they heeded neither moralists nor lawmen when it came to giving free rein to their emotions or their desires.