Love locked out : a survey of love, licence and restriction in the Middle Ages

James Cleugh

"In the Middle Ages men sinned wildly but not viciously and repented extravagantly. In a feudal society the excesses of those of high rank like Gilles de Rais were spectacular by 20th century standards and practically immune from legal or ecclesiastical interference... The author describes the attempts of the Church to impose a morality on this libidinous society and shows how they were frustrated at every turn.