Homosexual intercourse was a major issue in the penitential literature of the early Middle Ages, emphasizing perhaps the monastic origins of the disciplinary tradition. The following excerpts from Scriftboc will illustrate the Church's concern about the practice in the early medieval period; be sure not to extend this evidence into the later period.
X05.00.0 Concerning married men or boys, when they do wicked deeds in unnatural ways.
X05.03.0 Whoever has intercourse with animals or a male person must fast ten winters.
X05.04.0 If boys have intercourse between themselves, let them be flogged.
X05.05.0 If an animal is polluted by the member of a man (by intercourse with a man), let it be killed and given to dogs. If there is doubt about this, let the animal live.
X15.00.0 xvii Concerning homicide and the incest of women.
X15.01.1 If a mother murders her child she must fast fifteen winters without interruption, except on Sunday.
X15.01.2 If she is needy, she must fast seven winters.
X15.02.1 If a man has intercourse with his wife from the rear he must fast forty nights.
X15.02.2 If he has anal intercourse with her, he must fast ten winters.
Why could the monastic origins of the disciplinary tradition explain the prohibitions on homosexuality? How widespread were such prohibitions in the early medieval period? Why do you think that control of sexuality (homosexual and heterosexual) was so important to the medieval church?
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