Sex and Sexuality in Stuart Britain by Andrea Zuvich

Sex and Sexuality in Stuart Britain by Andrea Zuvich* is an informative and really interesting book. There are all sorts of details in it, from how faith influenced what people were doing to other influences from superstition, fashion and many others. In the book she touches on many different aspects on sex and sexuality in short chapters, making the structure perfect for the details shared.

Unlike the other books in the series, she talks a lot about the royals. I loved that because she talks about courting and their marriages. Looking at the royal couples also shows what was considered attractive. Also these case studies show the right age for marriage as, of course the royal and aristocratic marriages were earlier when compared to the rest of people. The love lives of the Stuart monarchs were very interesting. I think her view on homosexuality of which many monarchs were accused of is correct, as it could have been a good political tool used by their opposition, both political and religious than indicative of their sexual orientation.

The dark topics are presented too, such as prostitution, infanticide, sexual deviance, and miscarriages. Hence the book offers a realistic and also a comprehensive overview of the period. I gave 4 stars because the comparisons she made with the modern day were a few too many and they did not bring anything overall. She also mentioned things that were not relating to Stuart Britain and I can’t say I was particularly interested in those. The book has plenty of interesting topics and it is worth reading, so I do recommend it.

Sex and Sexuality in Stuart Britain by Andrea Zuvich

Details about the picture: –
My rating: 4/5 Stars
Would I recommend it: yes
Published by: Pen & Sword History
Year it was published: 2020
Format: Paperback
Genre(s): History – Stuart period
Pages: 304

About the author: Andrea Zuvich is a seventeenth-century historian specialising in the House of Stuart, as well as a historical advisor and author of historical fiction. She is the host of the popular ‘The Seventeenth Century Lady’ blog and has degrees in History and Anthropology from the University of Central Florida. Zuvich has appeared on television and radio discussing the Stuart period and gives lectures on the Stuart dynasty throughout the UK. She was one of the original developers of and leaders on the Garden History Tours at Kensington Palace. Zuvich, a Chilean-American born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, now lives in England with her family. This is her sixth book.
Website & Social Media Links: Pen and Sword

*I was sent a copy of Sex and Sexuality in Stuart Britain by Andrea Zuvich for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.