Chastity Belt Myth or Madness?
- Paul Rushworth-Brown
- Nov 18, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: May 18
In Roman times it was said that a recently married wife would wear a cloth tied with a knot covering her genitalia on her wedding night. A knot, a representation of her virginity, that would have to be undone by the groom before consummation of the marriage.
Stories of the chastity belt date back to the Middle Ages; however, their use has come under some scrutiny in recent times. It was presumed that knights leaving for the Holy Land to fight in the Crusades would utilise these anti temptation devices to ensure the fidelity of their wives and daughters.
The devices were first mentioned and drawn by engineer Konrad Kyser in 1405 in a treatise Bellifortis which depicted siege machines and torture devices. Historians have reputed that the device is and was an attempt at imaginative satirical humour as no serious mention of them has been found in historical texts.
It has been hypothesized that the idea of the chastity belt was to conjure up a barbaric medieval period that had come earlier.
Although in the past, museums such as the Musee de Cluny’s collection was once thought to hold a Florentine made device, modern testing found it to be from the 19th century. Other museums such as the British Museum used to feature examples of the device but suggest that it was more likely that chastity belts were examples of tasteless Victorian humour.
The idea of the cumbersome metal device that is often popularised in the media came to prominence in the 18th and 19th century. The device often depicted with a large padlock has been used as the centre of comical relief.
If the chastity belt was not a real thing why has the idea stood the test of time? Quite simply, male fear. In fact, the Victorian belief in the dangers of masturbation led to the creation of many patents for real chastity belts — for men.
Paul Rushworth-Brown is the author of five novels:
Some lives disappear into history. Others refuse to remain buried.
In the shadow of industrial Yorkshire, two brothers leave the moors behind in search of opportunity, survival, and a future larger than the lives they were born into. But the growing streets of Leeds offer no easy promises. Beneath the smoke, ambition, and expanding wealth lies a world shaped by hardship, silence, class division, and the quiet cost of survival.
As old loyalties fracture and hidden tensions rise, the Rushworth brothers are forced to confront a difficult truth: history is not only shaped by kings and power—but by ordinary people trying to endure the forces closing around them.
The Lost Voices is a richly atmospheric historical novel about identity, endurance, family, and the human cost of history.
Find out more: https://www.paulrushworthbrown.com/books
He came to Australia with hope. The land had other plans.
In 1950s Australia, a young Yorkshireman arrives under the Big Brother Movement scheme believing hard work and opportunity will give him a better life. Instead, he enters a harsh and unfamiliar world shaped by silence, isolation, power, and histories far older than his own.
Far from the promises he was sold, Jimmy is forced to navigate the brutal realities of outback station life, cultural tension, survival, and the uneasy relationship between belonging and identity. But as he forms unexpected connections with Aboriginal stockmen and begins confronting the truths beneath Australia’s surface, the land itself starts changing him in ways he never expected.
Outback Odyssey is a powerful historical novel about ordinary people caught inside forces far greater than themselves — and the human cost of surviving them.
Step into the captivating world of "Skulduggery," where a family of isolated copyholders finds themselves thrust into a web of danger that threatens their very existence. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the English Reformation, this meticulously researched historical mystery unfolds with a cast of both lovable and despicable characters, immersing you in a fully realized world that's both utterly believable and fantastically unbelievable.
Author Paul Rushworth-Brown weaves a spellbinding narrative that transports you to Yorkshire, England, in the 16th and 17th centuries, offering an authentic and gritty portrayal of peasant life. The pages come alive with vivid descriptions, crafting an atmosphere that pulls you deeper into a story of crime, murder, and suspense like no other. As the plot twists and turns, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat, surprised at every unexpected revelation.
Embark on an extraordinary adventure through the pages of "Red Winter Journey" by Paul Rushworth-Brown—a captivating historical masterpiece that thrusts you into the heart of the English Civil War in 1642. Step into a world of relentless turmoil and unyielding courage as you follow the unforgettable odyssey of Tommy Rushworth, a young peasant thrust into the maelstrom of the Parliamentary Army. Feel the pulse-pounding intensity of battle, experience the chilling winds of winter, and witness the unbreakable spirit of humanity in the face of adversity.
Dream of Courage: Facing Fear Head On
IN THE HEART OF 18TH-CENTURY ENGLAND, ON THE MOORS AND AMIDST THE GRIMY ALLEYS OF LEEDS, THE LIVES OF JOHN AND ROBERT RUSHWORTH UNFOLD IN A GRIPPING SAGA OF AMBITION, DANGER AND REDEMPTION.
Leaving the desolate moors behind, the brothers venture to Leeds with dreams of escaping poverty's clutches and carving their names into the annals of history.
In a world teeming with beggars, cutpurses and outlaws, the Rushworth brothers navigate treacherous paths, facing fear and uncertainty head on. Amidst the backdrop of a ruthless era, where murder and theft weave a web of ominous intrigue, the enigmatic tavern keeper, Smythe, holds their fates in his hands.
A pirate captain, Captain Girlington, steps into their lives, harbouring secrets and a choice between love and the call of the sea. The brutish Jacob Wilding enters the fray, driven by relentless determination to capture Robert Rushworth and claim a perilous reward.
Bound by a curse that threatens to consume them, the Rushworth brothers must confront their inner demons and forge a path back to success.
In a tale where historical fact merges seamlessly with heart-pounding fiction, Dream of Courage unravels a tapestry of suspense, intrigue and human resilience to be experienced...
"Another great work by a very talented author who loves his period works and characters from his great plots. He writes with verve and intent to deliver the imagination something unexpected and greatly appreciated... Brilliant..." Gavin, Readalot Magazine reviewer
Continue Exploring the Human Cost of History
Some stories challenge the way nations remember themselves.
Others force us to confront the voices history tried to leave outside the room.
Watch more long-form author conversations exploring history, memory, power, and the lives often overlooked by official narratives.
this look amazing thousand of reader are waitig for it
Erm... My name is Jeff?
Not sure about you guys, but I'd get one.
Great article Paul! Much love! Xoxo