Trial by Impotence: Virility and Marriage in Pre-Revolutionary France

According accused affair allowed annulment appear argument attempt authority became beginning body canon cause century certain Church claimed concerning condemned conjugal considered constituted consummation couple course desire ecclesiastical court ecclesiastical judge effect erection examination existence experts fact father favour female finally followed force genitals Gesvres girl grounds hand High Court husband impotence trials individual inspection institution Italy judge jurists Langey later lawyer less Marie Marquis marriage married matter means modesty Moreover nature never night parties pass period person physical physicians possible practice present problem procedures proceedings proof proved question reason referred regarded relative remained request rule sacrament seems seen separation sexual shameful spirit surgeons Tagereau taken took trial by congress turn unfortunate union verdict virginity virility wedding wife woman women wrote young