Monstrous animal siblings in Europe

From the frater Salernitanorum to the sooterkin

Dados Bibliográficos

ID7675005
AutoresDavide Ermacora (0000-0002-6908-4500, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, autor correspondente)
Ano2022
Páginas1-114
Data de publicação2022-01-13
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoBoletín de Literatura Oral (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2173-0695 • E-ISSN: 2173-0695
EditoraUniversidad de Jaen (PUBLISHER • ES)
DOI10.17561/blo.vanejo7.5707
OpenAlexW4205952050
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas171

Reports of women giving birth to a baby together with an animal (toad, mouse, bird, etc.), are documented in Europe from the 1100s onwards: the most important traditions of which are the frater Salernitanorum and the sooterkin. Throughout the centuries, authors have typically attempted to explain monstrous animal siblings in the light of contemporary medical knowledge. The present paper compares the medieval frater Salernitanorum with the later sooterkin and investigates both in historico-folklore terms. It argues that it is important to understand monstrous birth traditions not only in the light of medical history, but as beliefs and narratives actively shared through acts of communication. In so doing, this article is informed by both the history of medicine and folklore studies

Folklore, Mythology, and Literature Studies · Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices