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- Title
Interpreting the Body in Early Modern Italy: Pregnancy, Abortion and Adulthood*.
- Authors
Baernstein, P. Renée; Christopoulos, John
- Abstract
The article discusses attitudes towards pregnancy, abortion, sexuality, and adulthood in early modern Italy. Particular focus is given to a 1569 investigation into the pregnancy and eventual stillbirth of Costanza Colonna, the 13-year-old wife of nobleman Francesco Sforza. According to the author, the couple was pursuing an annulment of their marriage which hinged on Colonna's alleged virginity. Details on early modern medical and social beliefs regarding virginity and pregnancy are presented.
- Subjects
ITALIAN history -- 1559-1789; COLONNA, Costanza; SFORZA, Francesco; ATTITUDES toward sex; REPRODUCTIVE history; MARRIAGE annulment; ATTITUDES toward abortion; VIRGINITY; HISTORY
- Publication
Past & Present, 2014, Vol 223, Issue 1, p41
- ISSN
0031-2746
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/pastj/gtu006