The Reproductive Unconscious in Late Medieval and Early Modern England (Studies in Medieval History and Culture)

First published 2002 by Routledge. Drawing together social and medical history and literary studies, 'The Reproductive Unconscious in Late Medieval and Early Modern England' studies the social practices and metaphorical representations of childbirth in medieval and early modern texts and argues for the existence of a reproductive unconscious. Discussing midwifery treatises, obstetrical and gynecological manuals, and devotional texts written for or by women, the author illustrates the ways in which medieval and early modern men and women negotiated a conflict between the ideological and material need of the culture for them to procreate, and an ideological injunction that they remain virginal and non-procreative.

Drawing together social and medical history and literary studies, The Reproductive Unconscious in Late Medieval and Early Modern England studies the social practices and metaphorical representations of childbirth in medieval and early modern texts and argues for the existence of a "reproductive unconscious." Discussing midwifery treatises, obstetrical and gynecological manuals, and devotional texts written for or by women, the author illustrates the ways in which medieval and early modern men and women negotiated a conflict between the ideological and material need of the culture for them to procreate, and an ideological injunction that they remain virginal and non-procreative.

Preface xi Introduction: Literacy, Ritual, and the Reproductive Unconscious xv 1. 'I wyl wright of women prevy sekenesse': Female Textual and Birth Communities and the History of Women's Medical Texts 1 2. Theologized Maternity in Julian of Norwich's 'Book of Showings' 25 3. A Very Maternal Mysticism: Images of Childbirth and Its Rituals in 'The Book of Margery Kempe' 43 4. 'with grievous groanes & deepe sighes': Female Textual and Birth Communities in 'The Monument of Matrones' 61 Notes 89 Select Bibliography 111 Index 123