In order to explore the theme of queer acceptance and rejection during the Middle Ages there are a number of terms to define and contexts to give. The first and most important term to define in order to further understand the subject is the term “queer” itself. In these articles the word “queer” refers to same-sex love and attraction as well as referring to anything that has the power to disturb the status quo. As Richard E. Zeikelowitz writes, “‘Queer’ can thus signify any non normative behavior, relationship, or identity occurring at a specific moment” (67). This definition is significant in the following articles because of the extremely hegemonic culture of Europe in the Middle Ages, making it very hard for a person to question or act out against the status quo in any way. To be queer in any age is revolutionary, to be queer in the Middle Ages is significantly more dangerous and radical.
Source: http://www.oldbookart.com/2012/01/15/middle-ages-medieval-dress/
Another term that is important to understand is “gender non-conformity”. To be gender non-conforming is to act or appear in a way that does not conform to typical social and cultural expectation about what is appropriate to their gender. Gender non-conformity is especially of interest in the Middle Ages because “current concepts of cross dressing and gender roles change had their origin in the 19th century, and it is from these initial assumptions that current differentiation of sex and gender have evolved” (Bullough). The way that we view gender and the cultural expectations we have surrounding how a person is supposed to behave as dictated by their gender today has its roots specifically within the Middle Ages. This definition helps inform just how pervasive gender roles are to the culture of the Medieval Period.
wields a sword in this illustration from
a ca. 1300 manuscript. Source:
https://collections.royalarmouries.org/archive/rac-archive-391002.html
“Cross dressing” is another term that relates to queerness in the Middle Ages, and is a sub-sect of gender non-conformity. To cross dress, a person of one gender choses to wear the clothing typically only associated with the opposite gender. An example of this in the Middle Ages would be a woman being portrayed in knight’s armor or a man wearing a dress. This also illustrates to the way gender roles that originated in the Medieval Period are still circulating in current society. During the Middle Ages cross dressing would be seen as parts of plays and courtly activities like at a carnival in light context, but would be shocking and troubling in any other context.
Works Cited
Bullough, Vern L., and James A. Brundage. Handbook of Medieval Sexuality. Routledge, 2010.
Zeikowitz, Richard E. “Befriending the Medieval Queer: A Pedagogy for Literature Classes.” College English, vol. 65, no. 1, 2002, p. 67., doi:10.2307/3250731.