Devotion and Desire: Forbidden Pleasures in Medieval Convents
Life in a medieval convent was an act of renunciation, marked by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. However, historical records reveal a more complex reality, where human nature generated a constant tension between devotion and individual desires.
The "forbidden pleasures" and acts of rebellion reveal the conflict between the ideal of renunciation and human desires, demonstrating the resilience of women who sought autonomy and affection even under severe restrictions.
The formation of "private friendships" was a strictly monitored transgression, as monastic rules required a universal love of God and the community. Exclusive emotional bonds, which could range from intense friendships to romantic and sexual liaisons, were considered a threat and a form of idolatry, diverting the focus from Christ.
A notable example is the case of Benedetta Carlini, a 17th-century abbess. Her trial detailed the lesbian relationship she maintained with Sister Bartolomea, revealing not only the physical nature of the connection but also the complex network of power and mystical visions it created.
Although the vow of poverty required complete renunciation of personal possessions, practice in convents often differed. Records indicate the possession of prohibited items, such as fine clothing, adornments, and secular books. Food was also a source of transgression, with the consumption of refined foods breaking the frugal diet and fasting rules. These infractions were seen as a dangerous link to materialism, undermining the simplicity of devotional life. Convent life was often a family imposition for unmarried women, leading to various forms of resistance. An extreme case was that of Joan of Leeds, who faked her own death to escape. Other forms of rebellion included insubordination and refusal to follow rules.
Although convents offered access to education, knowledge was strictly controlled, with secular reading prohibited. Punishments for transgressions ranged from light penances, such as fasting, to severe measures for serious faults, such as breaking the vow of chastity, which could include flogging, confinement, and even excommunication.