Since ancient times and up to the present day, there are many social codes and customs that have changed radically. Modern life allows men and women, with certain variations according to the geographical region in which they live, a free exercise of their sexuality. But a few centuries ago things were radically different. Sex in the Middle Ages was traversed by religious moralism, to the point that it could only be practiced in order to conceive children, and it was also regulated in an unusual way. That is exactly the time when it is believed that a gadget became popular: the medieval chastity panties. Today in Supercurioso we sail back to the past centuries, to tell you what a chastity belt is and what its history is.
What is a chastity belt?
There are many stories and legends about this gadget that, according to most historians, was possibly never used during the Middle Ages, although the legends of its popularization come from there. Its purpose was, hypothetically, to prevent female infidelities when husbands left for the crusades or to keep daughters virgins until marriage. When we talk about what a chastity belt is, we are referring to an artifact that wrapped the pelvis and the genital area of the woman, and that was distinguished by spikes that effectively prevented the sexual act from being performed.
The heart of the matter was that the device could only be opened with a key, which the husband always carried with him. In short, the basic point that defines the myth of what a chastity belt is, is the fact that only the husband owned the woman’s sexual exercise.
Experts believe that it would have been impossible to wear it for more than a few days, since due to infections, abrasions and lacerations caused by contact with the metal, the woman most likely he would end up dying.
The medieval chastity panties, therefore, do not really correspond to this historical period. However, it was used a bit later. Women wore it as a defense against rape during times of war, quartering, travel, and stays in inns.
It was also used by nuns and nurses who cared for wounded at the front to prevent rape. Most chastity belts on display in museums have been removed after being proven fake. Its use, at the earliest, dates back to the Renaissance, but when it was really used it was in the 19th century and for the stated purpose.
After the concept of what a chastity belt is popularized, its use diversified, going from the most rudimentary models to the most luxurious. Versions of the medieval chastity panties were created, of unusual luxury and sophistication. This is the case, for example, of the chastity belt worn by Carlota Aglae of Orleans, married to the Prince of Modena. Around her pelvis was a belt lined with velvet, which encircled the thighs and buttocks, and oppressed the sex with a small silver plate. to which a hole had been made for the expulsion of urine.
The story of the Parisian baker and his wife
The story of the baker and his wife is one of the most striking regarding what a chastity belt is and its peculiar use. The events occurred in the 1930s in Paris and they seem more like an urban legend than a true story, if it weren’t for the 325 francs that the baker had to pay for his actions.
On January 21, 1934, Henry Littière, a baker by trade, appeared before a Paris court accused of cruelty and was sentenced to eight days of arrest and a monetary fine. His prison sentence was commuted, but he had to pay the money. The fact was picked up by a crime newspaper published in March of that same year, as well as by various other media of the time.
Henry Littière declared that everything had started some time before and the medieval chastity underwear was the only solution they could think of to end the problems their marriage had. The wife, Madame Littière, was, according to her husband, pathologically unfaithful. Within a few months she had had several lovers and she confessed to her husband that she could not resist her sexual activity with other men. Monsieur Littière did not know what to do, but one day he came across a contraption. There he found out from the baker what a chastity belt is and he saw it as the only possible solution to the dramas of his marriage.
It was in a museum where Littière came across that model of medieval chastity panties. He copied it into a notebook in as much detail as he could and took it to an acquaintance who did leg and arm prostheses. for World War I veterans. He asked her to reproduce it, but to make it as comfortable as possible, explaining that this was the only way his wife could not consummate her infidelity.
The prosthetic artisan covered the metal with velvet and, according to the husband’s account, Madam Littière tried it on and was satisfied with the comfort of the invention. The events precipitated when a neighbor heard the comments of the Littière couple and realized that the wife was wearing a medieval chastity panties.
Quickly, he went to the police and filed a complaint against the baker. He was tried for cruelty and sentenced to the penalty and fine that we have mentioned, which was not greater because the woman went to court to declare that it was impossible for her to be faithful and the prosthetist affirmed that her wife had given the consent of she.
The modern chastity panty
Have you ever heard that fashions are cyclical and that they always repeat themselves throughout history? Well, apparently, when we talk about what a chastity belt is, our minds not only travel to the myths and legends of the Middle Ages, but also find references in modernity.
Indeed, the medieval chastity panties have returned to the present day, to become a gadget that adds spice to sexualityespecially that of people who perform sadomasochistic practices.
There is also room for modern chastity belts to prevent rape, but the ones that have become most popular are those that bet on the fantasy of control, of opening and closing another person’s sexuality at will.
There are traditional female versions, and also others created for men. The modern version of the medieval chastity panties walks us through a wide variety. From steel slips that prevent manual access to the genital area, to cages for the penis and testicles that are marketed to measure. Anyway… for every taste, there is an option.
And you, Did you know what a chastity belt is? Have you imagined that it really did not exist in the Middle Ages, but after? And even more! Did you imagine that they are still used? Feel free to leave us your opinions in a comment. We will be looking forward to reading you! For now, we leave you with this selection of the best phrases to explore your sexualityliving it healthily and fully.