| Abstract: | During the early middle ages the Christian Church demonstrated an interest in regulating the expression of marital sexual relations. The regulations focused on the form of the sexual behaviour but particularly on its frequency. There is a growing body of regulations forbidding marital intercourse during such times as the major liturgical seasons, on particular days of the week, and before communion, among others. While some of these regulations may have been motivated by the procreative teaching regarding marital relations, others point to a fundamental difficulty of reconciling sexual behaviour with the ideals of Christian living. |
