Podcast Summary: “Le consentement ? C’est depuis 1140… et à la Table Ronde”

Podcast: Le Cours de l’histoire – France Culture
Date: September 12, 2025
Host: France Culture
Duration: 09:00–10:00

Main Theme Overview

This episode explores the deep historical roots of the concept of consent, especially in relation to marriage and sexual ethics, challenging the view that it is only a recent concern. Tracking the concept back to the 12th century, the host draws on church law, medieval texts, and the Arthurian legend to show how the demand for mutual consent in marriage was a medieval revolution, with far-reaching implications for gender relations and legal thought to this day.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Consent: Not Just a Modern Concept

• In the wake of the MeToo movement, consent is seen as a contemporary issue—however, the host argues its roots stretch back over eight centuries.
• (00:00–01:10)

  “À l'ère post-MeToo, le consentement est au cœur du débat public... Mais ce débat est-il nouveau ? Pas vraiment. Il a plus de 8 siècles.”

2. The Church’s Role: Marriage as a Sacrament and the Birth of Consent Law

• Context before the 12th century: Marriage was mostly about family, property, and alliances, more than personal will or affection.
• Gratian’s Decretum (~1140, Bologna): A monk and jurist, Gratian, asserts "non concubitus sed consensus" (not carnal union but consent) as the foundation of marriage.

  “C'est un moine juriste, Gracien, qui l'écrit noir sur blanc... c'est le consentement qui fait le mariage.” (01:11)

• The critical legal shift: both partners’ free and mutual consent is required; the "yes" of a woman counts as much as the man's.
• Formal ceremony, sex, or even the presence of a priest is not necessary—just two people’s shared "oui".

3. Legal Revolution: Autonomy and the “Oui” of Women

• This principle meant arranged marriages could be refused or annulled if not consensual.
• Dramatic change:

  “Le oui de la femme compte autant que celui de l'homme. Et un couple qui se dit oui est marié, même sans prêtre, sans témoin…”

• Sets the stage for modern legal recognition of individual autonomy in marriage.

4. Concile de Latran IV (1215): Regulating Consent

• The Fourth Lateran Council tried to contain abuses—requiring public announcements, priestly oversight, and witnesses. Thus, clandestine marriages became rare, and the modern notion of marriage (ceremony, guests, and, humorously, the mother-in-law) emerged.
• (02:20)

  “Le mariage moderne est né avec les invités, les repas sans fin et la belle-mère, bien sûr.”

5. Consent Beyond Marriage: Chivalry and the Table Ronde

• Expansion of consent as a social and sexual principle.
• Focus on a 15th-century Arthurian manuscript: knights of the Round Table swear 20 rules—rule 20 explicitly bans taking women by force; consent ("consentante") is required, even in victory in battle.
• Memorable extract:

  “Il ne devait jamais prendre pour eux ni toucher aucune dame ou demoiselle... si elle n’en avait pas le désir et n’était pas consentante.” (03:15)

• The host marvels at the modernity:

  “Le mot consentante figure tel quel en ancien français. C'est étonnamment moderne.”

6. The Distance Between Ideals and Reality

• Recognition that the age of chivalry was also one of violence and inequality; such texts depict ideals more than the lived experience.
• Still, the legal documentation of consent is far older than often assumed, pre-dating modern civil law by centuries.

7. Modern Resonance and “#ConsentementDepuis1140”

• Host reflects on present-day debates, noting how history disrupts clichés about the “dark” Middle Ages.
• Quote:

  “Le consentement a été inscrit dans les textes juridiques, huit siècles avant… le Code civil… et car les chevaliers du roi Arthur, eux, juraient de le respecter. Et 800 ans après, on en est encore là ? Alors sortez vos pincardes et vos hashtags. Vive la table ronde. Hashtag consentement depuis 1140.” (05:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• 00:35:

  “Non concubitus sed consensus. Ce n’est pas l’union charnelle, mais le consentement qui fonde le mariage. Ainsi tranche l’Église.” — Host

• 03:15:

  “Il ne devait jamais… toucher aucune dame… si elle n’en avait pas le désir et n’était pas consentante.” — Excerpt from the Arthurian manuscript, cited by Host

• 05:10:

  “Le consentement a été inscrit dans les textes juridiques, huit siècles avant qu’ils ne le soient dans le Code civil… Et 800 ans après, on en est encore là ?”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Introduction: Consent Today & in History | | 01:10 | Gratian’s Decretum: Consent as the Basis of Marriage | | 02:20 | Lateran IV: Public Nature and Regulation of Marriage | | 03:15 | The Table Ronde: Medieval Chivalry and Consent in Practice | | 05:10 | Modern Legacies and a Humorous Call to Action |

Tone and Style

• The episode is dense yet accessible, often ironic, and playful with direct address to the audience.
• The host adopts a lively, sometimes humorous tone, e.g., "la belle-mère, bien sûr," and finishes with a modern twist—inviting listeners to wield their hashtags in defense of this ancient value.

In Summary:
Far from being a modern invention, the principle of mutual consent—especially as regards women’s autonomy—has deep medieval roots, both in legal, religious, and legendary texts. The episode encourages us to look deeper into history for the origins of concepts still passionately debated today.