1. Terminology
Discussion of chastity in the Middle Ages and early modern period in Christian thought were closely linked to changing notions of the contrast between flesh (Body) and spirit. This ultimately led to a semantic equation of carnal, sexual and sinful (Sin). In this context notions of sexuality were associated with fornication (Lat. fornicatio: adultery, whoring, prostitution), desire (Lat. concupiscentia) and lust (Lat. luxuria). The opposite picture la…