The Manly Priest:
Clerical Celibacy, Masculinity, and Reform in England and Normandy, 1066-1300
by Jennifer D. Thibodeaux
BV4597.56 .T45 2015
New Arrivals, 2nd floor
Whitewater History department professor Jennifer Thibodeaux’s latest work focuses on the lives of priests during the Middle Ages. Specifically this work focuses on priests in England and Normandy. A group in the west of whom were the last hold outs in the church from adopting celibacy roles that became mandatory during this time period. Certainly a tumultuous time in church history for priests, this book also examines the changing role of masculinity asked of priests during this time. For example, the outlaw of behavior common among men at the time like gambling, drinking at the tavern, and brawling. This book tells a story of great change where those in charge (priests) were asked to embrace chastity as part of their roles over starting families. More than just a story of reform to an elite social reform, this is a book about being asked to change the meaning of one’s identity.
For more on this topic, check out Professor Thibodeaux’s previous work Negotiating clerical identities : priests, monks and masculinity in the Middle Ages.
