Katherine Harvey is a historian, writer, and reviewer who specializes in medieval history
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For centuries, physicians used urine to diagnose disease, predict death, and even determine sexual history—analyzing its color, consistency, and contents with remarkable confidence.
Katherine Harvey is a UK-based historian, writer, and reviewer, specializing in medieval history. She holds a BA, MA, and PhD in history from King’s College London, is an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck, University of London, and teaches for both Birkbeck and the Open University. She has published widely both in academic journals and popular periodicals, including BBC History Magazine, History Today, Aeon, and The Atlantic. She reviews regularly for publications including the Sunday Times and Times Literary Supplement. Her book, The Fires of Lust: Sex in the Middle Ages, was published by Reaktion in 2021.
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Book Review: Saints: A New Legendary of Heroes, Humans and Magic by Amy Jeffs
Church Times | November | 2024
In her new book, Saints, medievalist Amy Jeffs introduces readers to 40 holy men and women who were widely venerated by medieval Catholics.
Englesberg Ideas | July | 2024
Gerald of Wales was a 12th-century chronicler whose mixed heritage and thwarted ambitions led him to pen vivid, controversial accounts of Ireland and Wales, forever shaping perceptions of lands at the edge of medieval Europe.
Time | November | 2023
Just as wealthy people today spend a lot of money and energy figuring out how to live as long as possible, longevity was also an obsession of elite medieval Europeans.
History Today | November | 2023
Repulsive revelations of bodily infestations were viewed by some in medieval Europe as proof of sanctity. But for most, parasites were just plain disgusting.
Publications by this author
Sex in the Middle Ages
Reaktion Books | November | 2021
The medieval humoral system of medicine suggested that it was possible to die from having too much—or too little—sex, while the Roman Catholic Church taught that virginity was the ideal state. Holy men and women committed themselves to lifelong abstinence in the name of religion. Everyone was forced to conform to restrictive rules about who they could have sex with, in what way, how often, and even when, and could be harshly punished for getting it wrong.
Other experiences are more familiar. Like us, medieval people faced challenges in finding a suitable partner or trying to get pregnant (or trying not to). They also struggled with many of the same social issues, such as whether prostitution should be legalized. Above all, they shared our fondness for dirty jokes and erotic images. By exploring their sex lives, the book brings ordinary medieval people to life and reveals details of their most personal thoughts and experiences. Ultimately, it provides us with an important and intimate connection to the past.
From Episcopal Election to Papal Provision
Routledge | January | 2014
This book considers the theory and practice of free canonical election in its heyday under Henry III and Edward I, and the nature of and reasons for the subsequent transition to papal provision. An analysis of the theoretical evidence for this subject (including canon law, royal pronouncements, and Lawrence of Somercote’s remarkable 1254 tract on episcopal elections) is combined with a consideration of the means by which bishops were created during the reigns of Henry III and the three Edwards. The changing roles of the various participants in the appointment process (including, but not limited to, the cathedral chapter, the king, the papacy, the archbishop, and the candidate) are given particular emphasis.
Media by this author
Interview | July | 2023
This talk offers an overview of medieval sex and sexuality, looking at both what people thought (including religious and medical ideas) and what they did. It will explore the role of sex in medieval courtship and marriage, including the reproductive challenges and choices faced by medieval couples, before turning its attention to all the ways that medieval people were not supposed to have sex. Finally, it will look at the role of sex in medieval culture, particularly art and literature.
Interview | October | 2022
Katherine Harvey discusses her new book The Fires of Lust: Sex in the Middle Ages with Justin Bengry.
Feature | November | 2020
Everyone knows that medieval people were dirty, smelly and largely indifferent to their own filth... or were they? Join Dr Katherine Harvey, Birkbeck, University of London to find out more.
