Mr Jonny Blunt

I am currently conducting an MPhil in Medieval Studies, researching the dynamics of monastic seduction in the High Middle Ages. Primarily focusing on the perspectives of twelfth century Cistercian writers, my project analyses the role that seduction played in the monastic understandings of gender, the interaction between sexual and non-sexual seduction, and the conflict between the ideals and realities of seclusion, chastity and asceticism.

My undergraduate dissertation discussed monastic (mainly high medieval Cistercian) understandings of gender through the archetypes of the warrior, bride and mother.