Tag Archives: Medieval Filiations

Talking about the bastards of the Middle Ages as 21st-century historians: should we hide this word that we cannot see?

Talking about the bastards of the Middle Ages as 21st-century historians: should we hide this word that we cannot see?

In the Middle Ages, the term “bastard” did not always carry a stigma. In fact, it only acquired the full force of an insult from the 19th century onward .  In the past, social experiences of illegitimate filiations were far more complex than we imagine today, as highlighted by the research program “Medieval Filiations, Identity, and Otherness.” […] … learn more→