From Castration to Misogyny. Meaning of Liudprand of Cremona’s Humour

Abstract

Liudprand of Cremona is one of the most interesting authors of the tenth century. He is well known for his description of the Byzantine court and also for his jokes in Antapodosis – a first chronicle of Europe. Based on these tales, he is treated by scholars as a prime example of medieval misogyny. Lately the more political view of these narrations emerged, but still women in Liudprand’s works are seen mainly as victims. This essay shows that this view is wrong and that there is much more to be found in the text. Through Liudprand’s jokes emerges a much more complicated view of the position and role of woman in the society. To see this, the stories have to be put in the context of the tenth-century society.