What did an ideal date actually look like according to medieval ideas? With whom did you experience it, and what was supposed to happen? What roles and expectations were assigned to men and women? And what could you do if things didn’t go as hoped—for example, in the case of rejection or regret? Using the well-known and much‑loved Antwerp Songbook (1544), Cécile de Morrée vividly reconstructs late medieval views on love, dating, and premarital sex in the Low Countries.
The songbook offers a glimpse into a society where equality, mutual respect, and consent were considered important values in relationships. Although views on sex and dating have changed, the questions medieval people asked themselves remain surprisingly relevant. The book resonates strongly with contemporary readers thanks to its historical and societal perspective. Therefore, I would like to propose including it for review.
The book is available free of charge as open access from Radboud University Press and can be accessed via the download link.
Information about the book:
Title: How Did the Medieval Think About the Ideal Date? Premarital Love and Sex According to the Antwerp Songbook (1544)
Author: Cécile de Morrée
Publisher: Radboud University Press
Publication date: February 2, 2026
ISBN: 9789465152066
Download and paperback