CONSENT examines the theme of sexual consent in medieval European narrative songtexts (c.1300-1550). The project aims to unveil a positive, consent-oriented part of late medieval culture. It will investigate how songtexts helped medieval people to explore positive scenarios for behaviour in sexual relationships and to discuss the importance of mutual consent.
CONSENT
CONsent in Songs in European Narrative Traditions
- Duration
- 1 February 2026 until 31 January 2031
- Project member(s)
- Dr C.V. de Morrée (Cécile)
- Project type
- Research
- Organisation
- Radboud Institute for Culture and History, Faculty of Arts
Results
Publications
de Morrée, C., ‘Pastourelle Narratives of Sexual Violence and Consent in Middle French and Middle Dutch Printed Popular Song’, Neophilologus (2026), doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11061-026-09881-3
de Morrée, C., Hoe dacht de middeleeuwer over de ideale date? Voorhuwelijkse liefde en seks volgens het Antwerps liedboek (1544). Nijmegen: Radboud University Press (2026). https://doi.org/10.54195/ZHIQ1166 [OA]
Media appearances and interviews
Rape and consent in medieval songs: ‘It is important to update our image of the Middle Ages’, Doetie Talsma, VOX, 5 nov 2025
This was a medieval person's idea of an ideal date, Bart Frenken, Radboud Recharge, 19 feb 2026
https://www.ru.nl/en/research/research-news/this-was-a-medieval-persons-idea-of-an-ideal-date
Funding
ERC Starting
Contact information
For further information or questions, please contact Cécile de Morrée.