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> If members of a lay confraternity took vows of marital > chastity, did they abstain from sex within marriage, or > simply restrict themselves to 'authorized' sexual activity > within marriage and none at all outside it? > Dear Laura, A very interesting question. Conjugal chastity could mean a number of things to medieval theolgians. For instance, it could indicate sexual fidelity in marriage; liturgical times when temporary continence was observed; or an agreement made by a couple to live perpetually in chaste marriage. Have you looked at Dyan Elliott, *Spiritual Marriage. Sexual Abstinence in Medieval Wedlock,* (Princeton, 1993)? I think you will find some info in there that will be very useful. Good luck! Carolyn [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%