Table of Contents

1: Introduction
2: 'My Lady Knows Impious Things': Impotence Magic in the Ancient World
3: 'What Adulterous Women Do': The Early Middle Ages, c.800-c.1100
4: Impotence Magic Enters the Academic World 1100-1190
5: How to Bind a Man or Woman: Impotence in the Magical Texts
6: 'Everywhere on Earth, Certain Idolatries Reign': Pastoral Literature 1200-1400
7: Annulment Procedures and Frivolous Cures: Canon Law 1190-1400
8: Necromancers, Confessions, and the Power of Demons: Theology 1220-1400
9: Herbs and Magic: Medicine 1240-1400
10: Impotence Magic and the Rise of Witchcraft
Conclusion
Appendixes
Bibliography
Index

Reviews

This highly readable survey...is an important consideration of the evolution of medieval theories of magic and medicine and should not only be of interest to specialists in such areas as charm magic, witchcraft, and the history of sexuality, but will also find a well-earned place in any serious academic library. Stephen A. Mitchell, EHR 494 a valuable study of a major, although often neglected, aspect of medieval magic and it is an important demonstration of how widely diffused and varied thought about magic could be in medieval culture. Social History of Medicine ...a fascinating case study... Henrietta Leyser, Times Literary Supplement Rider has a confident grasp of her source material, some of which is published here for the first time. Bon Rickard, Fortean Times This is in every respect a thorough, clear and admirable work. Richard Kieckhefer, Ecclesiastic History