4 historical myths about sex

History is full of myths. But the most tenacious are those associated with the intimate side of life of our ancestors. For example…

1. The myth of moderation Victorians

On strict mores of the Victorian era, there are many stories. For example that show the ankle at the time it was for a woman to indecent. Once there was a popular joke that even if the Victorians and decided to make love, they would need to take off as many layers of clothing that ... well, it was not worth it.

Queen Victoria reportedly taught his daughter the day before the wedding night "lie back and think of England." There is even a legend that the Victorians were wrapped legs of the table cloth because they reminded them of naked female flesh.

Strange as England all experienced the Victorian era.

In fact:

With regard to the strict morals - everything is true. But ... only in public. And about the private lives of these people can be judged by tons of pornography, which they consumed. And it is not just pornography, and so on which will turn red and the current regulars porn sites. It had everything: incest, rape, pedophilia, orgies, sadism, masochism - a full set of pervert.

As for the hypocrisy of Queen Victoria, its diaries tell a different story: Her Majesty loves sex. And nine children - one more proof of that.

2. The myth of the "puritanical lifestyle," Puritans

About the Puritans we are accustomed to think of as an ascetic, has aimed to cleanse the world of all that could somehow cause lewd association. In fact:

Sex outside of marriage is really considered in the Puritan society crime. In fact, this law resulted in many hasty marriages. According to some historical research, one of the three Puritan women married when he was already pregnant.

And married couples indulge in carnal pleasures in full. And not just behind closed doors of his bedroom. There is evidence that they could engage in "this" on the porch of her house, on a bed of beans, at the cemetery, in a ditch ...

Do workers one of the favorite places was the kitchen, with the other servants not forbidden to pry.

Puritan church is not only considered sex between spouses worthy cause. He recognized the need not only to produce offspring - the pleasure of the partner is also considered as a conjugal duty. Impotence, and impotence have been a valid reason for divorce.

And its name Puritans began to justify only in the XIX century.

3. The Orthodox Jews have sex through a sheet

This myth is supported claim to historical authenticity movie Life of the Jews, and is often cited as an example of religious fanaticism. Allegedly during intercourse respectable Jewish wife puts on a sheet with a hole for the head in the middle, and the Jewish husbands in my entire life so can not see how their missus looks without clothes.

In fact:

There are no restrictions that prevent Orthodox Jews have sex just like normal people - naked. Furthermore, the law prohibits them from sex in any garb. So the sex scenes in which La Juive remain in bras is simply a lie. Most likely, the myth of the sheet went from the religious tradition of the Jews to wear a tallit katan - kind of underwear, which actually resembles a sheet with a hole.

4. The feudal lords had the right to rape the wives of ordinary peasants (as in "Braveheart")

"The right of the first night" - that is, the right to hold a feudal peasant with his young wife on their wedding night, has today become a symbol of medieval barbarism. This myth is reflected in the huge number of works of art - from the movie "Braveheart" to the opera "The Marriage of Figaro."

In fact:

Historical documents proving the existence of the law under which Mr. raping peasant wives could, in fact, not. Talking about such a law, as a rule, result in some indirect evidence, always related to some other country. According to the beliefs of every European, the kings and lords of the neighboring state endlessly raped the wives of his subjects, but no country can say that such a law among the actually existing in itself.