PhD Position: Medieval Literature 'Consent in Songs in European Narrative Traditions'

As a PhD candidate you will conduct an independent research project within the CONSENT team. CONSENT examines the theme of sexual consent in medieval European narrative song texts (c.1300-1550). The project aims to unveil a positive, consent-oriented part of late medieval culture, by investigating how song texts helped medieval people to explore positive scenarios for behaviour in sexual relationships and to discuss the importance of mutual consent.

In your project, you will investigate the theme of consent at the courts of the Rhine-Maas-Lorraine region (c. 1300-1430). This region was famous for its sociable song culture, in which no clear separation existed between performer and listener but in which the audience partook in every respect. The love songs stand out for often adding a touch of humour to the more serious themes of the courtly traditions of previous centuries. You will investigate the hypothesis that this sociable song culture gave way to new literary expressions...