HIS 270 Marriage in Medieval Europe

3 hours 

This course offers an introduction to the ideas and practices of marriage as they emerged in Western Europe from antiquity to 1500. Drawing upon primary and secondary sources, the course will examine how early European societies conceived of, practiced, and regulated marriage. Topics will include monogamy and polygyny, the role of sex and gender in marriage, adultery, incest rules, divorce, spousal homicide, and remarriage. Marriage customs at all levels of society will be considered.