Homosexuality in medieval Europe

In medieval Europe, attitudes toward homosexuality varied from region to region, determined by religious culture; the Catholic Church, which dominated the religious landscape, considered, and still considers, sodomy as a mortal sin and a "crime against nature". By the 11th century, "sodomy" was increasingly viewed as a serious moral crime and punishable by mutilation or death. Medieval records reflect this growing concern. The emergence of heretical groups, such as the Cathars and Waldensians, witnesses a rise in allegations of unnatural sexual conduct against such heretics as part of the war against heresy in Christendom. Accusations of sodomy and "unnatural acts" were levelled against the Order of the Knights Templar in 1307 as part of Philip IV of France's attempt to suppress the order.^[1] These allegations have been dismissed by some scholars.^[2]

^ G. Legman "The Guilt of the Templars" (New York: Basic Books, 1966): 11.
^ Dodd, Gwilym; Musson, Anthony (2006). The Reign of Edward II: New Perspectives. Boydell & Brewer. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-903153-19-2.

[1] G. Legman "The Guilt of the Templars" (New York: Basic Books, 1966): 11.

[2] Dodd, Gwilym; Musson, Anthony (2006). The Reign of Edward II: New Perspectives. Boydell & Brewer. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-903153-19-2.

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