Questioning Terminologies: Homosocial and “Homosexual” Bonds in the Royal Bedchamber and Kingship in Medieval England and France

Abstract

In medieval Western Europe, the sharing of a bed between the king and a close noble or friend was not uncommon, often seen as an example of a strong homosocial bond. Henry II and Richard I of England are known examples of kings who reportedly shared their beds with a male friend. The line between homosocial and what modern scholars would term homosexual bonds is often blurred when it comes to analysing close male relationships between a king and his subjects. These instances usually occurred outside the courtly residence, whilst journeying or in the midst of warfare, leaving little room for privacy and separation, thus enabling them to be reported by the contemporary chroniclers. This paper seeks to address three matters. Firstly, it outlines the terminological issues when discussing medieval masculinities and sexualities. Secondly, it investigates the nature of homosocial and “homosexual” bonds and how we attempt to differentiate these within a medieval, Western European context (here focusing on England and France). It then examines the case studies of Henry II and William Marshal, and Richard I and Philip Augustus. This article contributes to our understanding of the intersections between privacy, sexuality, and friendship. It seeks to enhance knowledge surrounding the balance of friendships and power, and how homosocial and “homosexual” bonds could impact the monarch’s relationship with their consort, and, in some cases, their ability to rule.

Keywords

• kingship
• masculinity
• medieval
• england
• france
• homosociality
• gender