Deviance in pre-modern society Definitions of deviance What is deviance? How defined in pre-modern (c.1750) period? Broad definition – religious, sexual, social Transgression of Church’s moral strictures How much concealed from the historian’s view?

Dante’s hierarchy of deviance (from The Divine Comedy early C14th) )

Identification of deviant behaviour common to all societies Suspect and threatening Appearance, beliefs and/or lifestyle Marginalisation, ostracisation, persecution of individuals or groups Common stereotypes: sexual depravity, criminality, anti-social behaviour Metaphors of sin, pollution, disease Cf ‘terrorists’ (Dillinger, 2004)

Accusations vs Deviant Groups (from Malcolm Lambert, Medieval Heresy (1992), p. 166)

Extreme: blood libel/ritual murder accusation vs Jews

Role of the courts/legislation auto da fe = show trial Official treatment of deviants Fluctuations Ecclesiastical e.g. Spanish Inquisition Secular courts often harsher (will execute) Could be surprisingly lenient Social relations > heightened tension in post 1500 period

Treatment of the ‘Other’ Diverse societies: minorities integrated Expulsions > mobile communities Refugees/diaspora especially by early modern period (post 1500) e.g. moriscos, Huguenots Scapegoating

Socially marginal and mobile Gypsies by Callot c. 1621 C16th and C17th Fear of vagrants on increase Criminal gangs imagined Gypsy/Roma people suspect Social stability and hierarchy central

Social stigmatisation Executioner (C16th) Dishonourable trades Played important socio-economic role Ostracised from polite society Excluded from citizenship Physically and socially marginalised Developed own subculture/networks Definition of ‘margins’? (Milner)

Medieval bath house: often frequented by prostitutes

Treatment of diseased Fear of contamination: Leprosy Plague Syphilis Mental illness Lunacy Also strong metaphorical use re deviant groups

The court dwarf: Spain and Italy

Monstrous births: source of fascination & horror ‘Monk calf’ (C16th Germany) ‘Barking monster’ (C18th England)

SIN: a sinful and virtuous woman

Questions In what way group defined as deviant? What form did marginalisation take? Was persecution systematic or sporadic, official or popular? Are there geographical & chronological distinctions to be made? What do local studies add? What does it tell us about wider society?