History ETDs
Publication Date
Fall 10-20-2022
Abstract
Domestic violence in the medieval and early modern periods can be difficult to examine. The people who lived during these periods did not view familial abuse in the ways that we do today; however, this dissertation seeks to explore the topic of domestic violence by examining the religious, legal and cultural backdrop that enabled, and even encouraged abusive marriages and violence within families. Starting with the Patristic fathers, this dissertation traces the attitudes towards sexuality, violence and the sanctity of marriage in the Church and how it responded to accusations of abuse. Similarly, English law from the pre-Conquest up until the Elizabethan era is examined to see what protections existed for wives and how the legal framework often failed to redress violence that targeted women. Finally, an examination of literary and stage culture gives an insight into how society interacted with violence against women in marriage.
Level of Degree
Doctoral
Degree Name
History
Department Name
History
First Committee Member (Chair)
Timothy Graham
Second Committee Member
Charlie Steen
Third Committee Member
Anita Obermeier
Fourth Committee Member
Sarah Davis-Secord
Fifth Committee Member
Caleb Richardson
Language
English
Keywords
Domestic Violence, Medieval, Early Modern, Gender Studies, Religion, Law, Literature
Document Type
Dissertation
Recommended Citation
Fairbanks-Ukropen, Sarah E.. "Church, Law, and Literature: The Interconnected Social Structures of Domestic Violence in the Medieval and Early Modern Periods." (2022). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hist_etds/326
