Rape in Early Modern England: Law, History and Criticism

This book provides a legal context for writing about rape in early modern England, addressing misunderstandings about rape law and misreadings of rape statutes from medieval to Elizabethan times. It highlights the wider social context in which rape was presented and suggests that the seventeenth-century treatise, The Lawes Resolutions of Womens Rights, is unreliable and can mislead the unwary.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book is a valuable resource for scholars and students in the humanities who are interested in exploring the legal context of rape in early modern England. It assumes that over the past four decades, widespread misunderstandings about rape law and misinterpretations of rape statutes from medieval to Elizabethan times have been heavily cited in criticisms. Helen Barker, the author, delves into the origins of these confusions and examines the primary sources of confusion, including the enduring issues surrounding the term 'ravishment.' Historically, rape law encompassed acts of elopement and abduction, and this book provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the law. It also highlights the broader social context in which rape has often been portrayed, beyond mere gender opposition.

Critics have been tempted to rely on the purportedly authoritative seventeenth-century treatise, The Lawes Resolutions of Womens Rights, as a legal source. However, this book challenges that notion by examining the context of its publication. It suggests that the treatise is unreliable and can mislead those who are not cautious in its use.

By examining the historical, legal, and social aspects of rape in early modern England, this book offers a comprehensive and insightful perspective on a complex and sensitive topic. It is a valuable addition to the literature on gender, law, and society, and will be of interest to scholars and students alike.

Weight: 345g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030826086
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021