Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
Episode: How Did People Smell in Medieval Times?
Release Date: December 17, 2024

In this captivating episode of Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society, host Kate Lister delves into the intriguing intersection of scent and history during the medieval period. The episode features insightful conversations with Eleanor Jackson, curator of the British Library's exhibition "Medieval Women in Their Own Words", and Tasha Marks, an artist specializing in sensory experiences through scent.

1. Exploring Medieval Women’s Lives

Eleanor Jackson introduces the primary focus of the episode by discussing the British Library’s latest exhibition, "Medieval Women in Their Own Words". This exhibition spans Europe from 1100 to 1500, highlighting the achievements, challenges, and everyday lives of women across various social strata. Jackson emphasizes the exhibition's commitment to showcasing women's own testimonies, addressing the historical silencing of female voices.

Eleanor Jackson [06:13]: "We have this real emphasis on women's own testimonies, because so much throughout history, women's voices have been silenced."

2. Unearthing Rare Historical Documents

A standout feature of the exhibition is the petition of Maria Moriana, a woman of color in 15th-century London, who bravely petitions for her freedom from an Italian merchant attempting to sell her. Jackson highlights the rarity and significance of such documents, debunking the misconception that medieval Europe lacked diversity.

Eleanor Jackson [07:51]: "Maria Moriana was actually petitioning for her freedom. Not only was she refusing to be sold, but she knew her rights and was standing up for them."

3. The Art of Scent: Tasha Marks’ Contribution

Tasha Marks explains her role in the exhibition, focusing on creating authentic scents based on medieval manuscripts. Her work transforms textual descriptions into immersive olfactory experiences, allowing visitors to "smell" history.

Tasha Marks [10:26]: "Presenting it as a smell was really joyful to do."

Marks describes her meticulous process of selecting and recreating scents, such as a 12th-century hair perfume and a medieval breath freshener, using a combination of historical research and modern fragrance techniques.

4. Medieval Cosmetics Manuscript: A Window into Daily Life

A central artifact in the exhibition is a 12th-century Southern Italian cosmetics manuscript, containing recipes for makeup, perfumes, and cleansing products. Jackson addresses the common myth that medieval people had poor hygiene, using the manuscript to illustrate sophisticated grooming practices among women of the time.

Eleanor Jackson [13:14]: "We really wanted to kind of change people's misconceptions about medieval women in the Middle Ages more broadly."

5. Prominent Medieval Women: Voices of Power and Creativity

The episode spotlights several notable women featured in the exhibition:

• Christine de Pizan: Recognized as the first professional woman author in Europe, Christine advocated for women's moral and intellectual equality with men, challenging prevalent misogynistic narratives.

  Eleanor Jackson [16:50]: "Christine was able to get patronage from the French royal court... she argues for women's moral and intellectual equality with men."

• Margery Kemp: Author of the earliest autobiography in English, Kemp documented her spiritual visions and tumultuous life, showcasing the personal resilience of medieval women.

  Eleanor Jackson [20:17]: "Margery Kemp was the one who inspired our sort of heaven smell in the spiritual section because she talks about this intensely sweet smell."

• Julian of Norwich: A revered mystic, Julian authored "Revelations of Divine Love", chronicling her spiritual experiences and visions, which are uniquely captured in the exhibition.

  Eleanor Jackson [24:32]: "Julian of Norwich... wrote down her visions. It is the first work in English that we know to be authored by a woman."

6. The Luttrell Psalter: Women in Agricultural Labor

The Luttrell Psalter, renowned for its vivid marginalia depicting everyday medieval life, is featured prominently. Jackson discusses the manuscript’s detailed scenes of women engaged in agricultural work, supported by contemporaneous farmer's account rolls revealing a gender pay gap.

Eleanor Jackson [31:17]: "About a third of the workers are women, and it also records the wages they were paid. There was already a gender pay gap."

7. Challenging Modern Misconceptions: Agency and Diversity

Lister and her guests explore how the exhibition challenges modern perceptions of medieval women as passive and oppressed. Instead, it highlights their diverse roles, creativity, and substantial agency within societal constructs of the time.

Eleanor Jackson [33:56]: "We really wanted to show how many diverse roles medieval women were able to take... their creativity as authors, as artists, their power in politics."

8. Gwerfil Meken and Isabella of France: Diverse Female Narratives

The episode delves into the stories of Gwerfil Meken, a medieval Welsh poet known for her unabashedly erotic poetry celebrating female anatomy, and Isabella of France, a politically active queen whose rule and personal life were subjects of contemporary satire.

• Gwerfil Meken: Author of a humorous and sex-positive poem dedicated to the vagina, challenging male-dominated poetic traditions.

  Eleanor Jackson [39:36]: "Gwerphil Meken... wrote a poem to the vagina... a fun, humorous poem, an ode to the vagina."

• Isabella of France: Her political maneuvering to depose her husband, Edward II, and the subsequent satirical badges mocking her highlight the intersection of gender and power.

  Eleanor Jackson [42:26]: "These satirical badges... show just kind of what women were up against when they were trying to claim political authority."

9. Favorite Exhibits and Personal Reflections

In a heartfelt exchange, Jackson and Marks share their personal favorite exhibits:

• Tasha Marks praises the medieval cosmetics manuscript for its deep historical insights and the opportunity to create immersive multisensory experiences.

  Tasha Marks [45:33]: "The medieval cosmetics manuscript... feels like an amazing insight to the past."

• Eleanor Jackson expresses admiration for an original letter from Joan of Arc, the only surviving copy outside of France, signifying a direct link to the historical figure.

  Eleanor Jackson [46:59]: "Seeing Joan of Arc's original letter... makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up."

10. Conclusion: Bridging Scent and History

Kate Lister wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to visit the "Medieval Women in Their Own Words" exhibition at the British Library, which runs until March 2, 2025. She highlights the innovative use of scent to enhance the historical narrative, making history a multi-sensory experience.

Kate Lister [48:29]: "You should check that out too."

Jackson provides additional resources for those interested in delving deeper, including the British Library’s website and social media channels.

Key Takeaways

• Scent as a Historical Tool: Tasha Marks’ work demonstrates how scent can provide a tangible connection to the past, enriching the understanding of historical contexts.

• Women's Agency in Medieval Times: The exhibition underscores the varied and significant roles women played in medieval society, challenging long-held stereotypes of passivity and oppression.

• Preservation of Women's Voices: Highlighting rare documents like Maria Moriana’s petition and original manuscripts from figures like Christine de Pizan and Joan of Arc emphasizes the importance of preserving and celebrating women's historical narratives.

• Intersection of Culture and Scent: The incorporation of scents derived from medieval recipes and texts offers a unique, immersive way to engage with and understand historical experiences.

Further Information

For those interested in experiencing this unique exhibition, visit the British Library in St. Pancras or explore additional details on their website and social media platforms. Follow Eleanor Jackson on Instagram and Twitter at @xlmedieval for updates and insights into medieval manuscripts.

This episode of Betwixt The Sheets masterfully intertwines the sensory allure of scent with the rich tapestry of medieval women's lives, offering listeners a novel and engaging perspective on history.