Table of Contents

Abbreviations
Conventions
A Note on Terminology
IntroductionDangerous Propinquity
1: Medieval Incest Law - Theory and Practice
2: The Classical Legacy
3: Mothers and Sons
4: Fathers and Daughters
5: Siblings and Other Relatives
ConclusionSex, Sin, and Salvation
AppendixSynopses of Flight from Incestuous Father Stories
Bibliography
Index

About the Author

Elizabeth Archibald is Senior Lecturer in English, University of Bristol

Reviews

Archibald does a good job of demonstrating that medieval culture, in spite of its piety (or perhaps because of it?), was fairly obsessed with the problem of incest. Medium AEvum The book covers a lot of ground and does so clearly and efficiently. Medium AEvum ... impressive study. The Year's Work in Modern Language Studies What gives this book added interest is its historical range ... will endure as a source of reference for many years to come ... thought-provoking study. The Review of English Studies The scholarship demonstrated in this work is exemplary. There are extensive sources and documentation; pertinent citations are always translated. Terms are meticulously defined ... The Appendix contains succinct but thorough summaries of incest stories; the bibliography is exhaustive, making this book a substantial research tool and reference for a powerful literary theme. Anyone working on the theme of incest in medieval literature should read this book. Anyone who appreciates excellent scholarship in general will want to read this book for the pure pleasure of it. Linda M. Rouillard, University of Toledo Elizabeth Archibald's book makes an admirable introduction to the whole topic. Times Literary Supplement