The History Of The Chastity Belt

1. The History of the Chastity BeltThe History of the Chastity Belt
By John BernsteinBy John Bernstein

2. What is a Chastity BeltWhat is a Chastity Belt
A chastity belt is any constructed A chastity belt is any constructed
apparatus designed to prevent the apparatus designed to prevent the
possibility of sexual intercourse, physical possibility of sexual intercourse, physical
sexual contact, and/or masturbation.sexual contact, and/or masturbation.
The original reasons for its invention are The original reasons for its invention are
unclear and many modern assumptions unclear and many modern assumptions
have been misguided.have been misguided.

3. Pre-Belt ChastityPre-Belt Chastity
Prior to the invention of the chastity belt, there were two surgical Prior to the invention of the chastity belt, there were two surgical
procedures used to prevent or control physical and sexual stimulation.procedures used to prevent or control physical and sexual stimulation.
Women underwent the procedure known as infibulation, which involved Women underwent the procedure known as infibulation, which involved
the sewing together of the labia majora, leaving only a small hole for the sewing together of the labia majora, leaving only a small hole for
urination and the passing of menstrual blood. This hole was too small to urination and the passing of menstrual blood. This hole was too small to
allow for penetration or any other sexual access to the vagina.allow for penetration or any other sexual access to the vagina.
Men underwent a similar procedure, also known as a form of infibulation, Men underwent a similar procedure, also known as a form of infibulation,
which involved the sewing together of the tip of the foreskin around the which involved the sewing together of the tip of the foreskin around the
glans also leaving a small hole for urination. This created tension which glans also leaving a small hole for urination. This created tension which
prevented erectile expansion of the tissue and skin.prevented erectile expansion of the tissue and skin.
Both of these procedures are noted as painful and uncomfortable for Both of these procedures are noted as painful and uncomfortable for
years after the initial infibulation has taken place. They could furthermore years after the initial infibulation has taken place. They could furthermore
cause mortal infection and disease.cause mortal infection and disease.

4. Invention of the Chastity Invention of the Chastity
BeltBelt
The chastity belt is first mentioned as a metaphorical The chastity belt is first mentioned as a metaphorical
object of promise of fidelity. Its use was commonly object of promise of fidelity. Its use was commonly
found in medieval poetry.found in medieval poetry.
In most of these cases, the promise was made between In most of these cases, the promise was made between
a man and woman, with equal agreement between a man and woman, with equal agreement between
them.them.
The chastity belt, as known to modern historians, was The chastity belt, as known to modern historians, was
probably invented during the Renaissance in Italian probably invented during the Renaissance in Italian
cities, including Florence, Milan, Rome, and Venice.cities, including Florence, Milan, Rome, and Venice.
Due to the time and locations of original use, some of Due to the time and locations of original use, some of
the names the belts came to be known as included “The the names the belts came to be known as included “The
Florentine Girdle” and “The Girdle of Venus.”Florentine Girdle” and “The Girdle of Venus.”

5. The Myth of the The Myth of the
Crusader’s WifeCrusader’s Wife
During the 12During the 12
thth
and 13 and 13
thth
centuries, the Crusades had over 300,000 centuries, the Crusades had over 300,000
men traveling from their homes to invade foreign lands to the east.men traveling from their homes to invade foreign lands to the east.
It was theorized that one of these men felt insecure with leaving It was theorized that one of these men felt insecure with leaving
his wife and daughters (and probably his mistress) fully capable his wife and daughters (and probably his mistress) fully capable
while he was gone.while he was gone.
The idea caught on, and the chastity belt was mass produced for The idea caught on, and the chastity belt was mass produced for
the sake of all crusaders.the sake of all crusaders.
The soldiers, however, were traveling through extreme conditions, The soldiers, however, were traveling through extreme conditions,
causing a majority of them to succumb to the plague, at least 10% causing a majority of them to succumb to the plague, at least 10%
to die from battle wounds, and the small remaining percentage to to die from battle wounds, and the small remaining percentage to
possibly travel the distance home.possibly travel the distance home.
Furthermore, the designs thought to have come from this time Furthermore, the designs thought to have come from this time
would have been painful and unable to be worn for any extended would have been painful and unable to be worn for any extended
period.period.
This myth was actually developed through the use of metaphorical This myth was actually developed through the use of metaphorical
chastity belts in medieval poetry, consisting of cloth, and not iron chastity belts in medieval poetry, consisting of cloth, and not iron
and locks.and locks.

6. 1919
thth
Century Medicine Century Medicine
During the early 19During the early 19
thth
century, sexuality became a topic of great century, sexuality became a topic of great
discussion.discussion.
Sexual promiscuity was still unheard of, leading to secretive behavior.Sexual promiscuity was still unheard of, leading to secretive behavior.
Masturbation became an issue open to medical discussion. Many Masturbation became an issue open to medical discussion. Many
medical professionals made statements about the health issues related to medical professionals made statements about the health issues related to
masturbation, claiming it could cause blindness, insanity, disorientation, masturbation, claiming it could cause blindness, insanity, disorientation,
disability, and even premature death. It was thus dubbed the “killer of disability, and even premature death. It was thus dubbed the “killer of
youth.”youth.”
Due to these conceptions of the ills of sexuality, the chastity belt had its Due to these conceptions of the ills of sexuality, the chastity belt had its
true awakening in the 19true awakening in the 19
thth
century, with patented designs and century, with patented designs and
implemented use on young adolescents.implemented use on young adolescents.
Many of these ideas were left over from medieval times, especially the Many of these ideas were left over from medieval times, especially the
moral influence by Christianity. The misconception was born that these moral influence by Christianity. The misconception was born that these
devices were originally developed during this time.devices were originally developed during this time.
Since then, dating technology has been used to determine the age of Since then, dating technology has been used to determine the age of
original chastity devices. Most of them have been removed from original chastity devices. Most of them have been removed from
museum’s medieval exhibits, otherwise dates have been changed to museum’s medieval exhibits, otherwise dates have been changed to
represent their true age, usually from the 16represent their true age, usually from the 16
thth
century. century.

7. Early Examples of Female Early Examples of Female
Chastity Belts (Renaissance Chastity Belts (Renaissance
Age, Italy)Age, Italy)

8. 1919
thth
Century Designs Century Designs
These women are shown These women are shown
sporting one of the first sporting one of the first
patented designs for the patented designs for the
chastity belt.chastity belt.
These are similar to These are similar to
those pictured in the those pictured in the
previous slide, although previous slide, although
those two were originally those two were originally
thought to be originals thought to be originals
form medieval Europe.form medieval Europe.

9. Realistic Uses and Realistic Uses and
DesignsDesigns
The most realistic use of the chastity belt was to protect the new The most realistic use of the chastity belt was to protect the new
population of working-class women from the ill outcomes of office sexual population of working-class women from the ill outcomes of office sexual
harassment.harassment.
This explains the rebirth of old designs, complete with integrated locks, in This explains the rebirth of old designs, complete with integrated locks, in
addition to new concepts of comfort and concealment.addition to new concepts of comfort and concealment.
The feminist movement of the late 19The feminist movement of the late 19
thth
century found many women century found many women
pushing for equality of employment. Many were given jobs in factories pushing for equality of employment. Many were given jobs in factories
with closed quarters and no supervision, causing numerous occurrences with closed quarters and no supervision, causing numerous occurrences
of sexual assault. Since men would often not be held accountable for of sexual assault. Since men would often not be held accountable for
these incidences, many women took the situation into their own hands, these incidences, many women took the situation into their own hands,
designing protective devices that would be comfortable and concealable designing protective devices that would be comfortable and concealable
from their male coworkers.from their male coworkers.
The following slides will give some examples of modern designs, The following slides will give some examples of modern designs,
combining numerous attributes from past models and multiple purposes.combining numerous attributes from past models and multiple purposes.

10. Liberation by Restraint: Liberation by Restraint:
The Birth of BD/SMThe Birth of BD/SM
During a time of sexual secrecy and immorality, there was born a hidden During a time of sexual secrecy and immorality, there was born a hidden
movement.movement.
Many individuals felt that there was too much restraint and thought being Many individuals felt that there was too much restraint and thought being
given to the ways that sexuality could be used improperly. While some given to the ways that sexuality could be used improperly. While some
decided to show their free expression through the first occurrences of decided to show their free expression through the first occurrences of
pornography and exotic photography, others chose to express themselves pornography and exotic photography, others chose to express themselves
through excessive forms of restraint.through excessive forms of restraint.
These individuals found sexual excitement in the acts of being restrained These individuals found sexual excitement in the acts of being restrained
with chains, ropes, or leather, and punished by being given levels of pain with chains, ropes, or leather, and punished by being given levels of pain
up to a point agreed upon by the participants.up to a point agreed upon by the participants.
While some notions of this behavior have been noted in historical While some notions of this behavior have been noted in historical
documents, including information from the medieval era, these ideas were documents, including information from the medieval era, these ideas were
merely the influential impetus for the modern revival of the movement.merely the influential impetus for the modern revival of the movement.
There have been many devices manufactured for the purposes of use in There have been many devices manufactured for the purposes of use in
sexual behavior involving pain thresholds, domination, and restraint.sexual behavior involving pain thresholds, domination, and restraint.
Due to all of these factors, the chastity belt saw its revival in modern times Due to all of these factors, the chastity belt saw its revival in modern times
amongst these very same people.amongst these very same people.

11. Modern Female-based Modern Female-based
DesignsDesigns
This modern female chastity This modern female chastity
belt is designed of surgical belt is designed of surgical
steel, padded rubber, vinyl steel, padded rubber, vinyl
adjustment straps, and an adjustment straps, and an
integrated radial lock, found integrated radial lock, found
on many modern locks and on many modern locks and
safes.safes.
It has also been designed to It has also been designed to
be easily concealed under be easily concealed under
clothing, tight fitting around clothing, tight fitting around
the waist, and has small the waist, and has small
holes to allow for holes to allow for
breatheability and urination breatheability and urination
without removal of the without removal of the
device.device.

12. Modern Female-based Modern Female-based
DesignsDesigns
This device is also intended This device is also intended
for female use, and is for female use, and is
designed for comfort and designed for comfort and
adjustability.adjustability.
The materials are leather, The materials are leather,
imitation leather, high imitation leather, high
durability thread, and steel durability thread, and steel
rivets.rivets.
The lock is small and light The lock is small and light
weight, adding negligibly to weight, adding negligibly to
the overall weight of the the overall weight of the
device.device.
The device, while restraining The device, while restraining
the wearer from participating the wearer from participating
in sexual activity, allows for in sexual activity, allows for
the desired feelings of the desired feelings of
submission and control, which submission and control, which
are often sought by the are often sought by the
BD/SM participant.BD/SM participant.

13. New Styles from Old New Styles from Old
DesignsDesigns
This is another This is another
example of a modern example of a modern
female restraint female restraint
device, though this device, though this
one is based on the one is based on the
supposed constructs supposed constructs
found in medieval found in medieval
and Renaissance and Renaissance
style belts.style belts.

14. New Styles from Old New Styles from Old
DesignsDesigns
This is the male form This is the male form
of the modernized of the modernized
medieval design. medieval design.
These never existed These never existed
in the past, and are in the past, and are
seen as ornamental, seen as ornamental,
rather than rather than
functional.functional.

15. Male Chastity DevicesMale Chastity Devices
These are two design These are two design
examples for male chastity examples for male chastity
belts.belts.
The top diagram is from a US The top diagram is from a US
patent by Jonas E. Heyser, patent by Jonas E. Heyser,
designed to be a male anti-designed to be a male anti-
masturbation device, lockable masturbation device, lockable
and adjustable to be worn for and adjustable to be worn for
extended periods.extended periods.
The lower diagram shows a The lower diagram shows a
modern design for use as part modern design for use as part
of restraint or BD/SM, of restraint or BD/SM,
bondage and bondage and
discipline/sadism and discipline/sadism and
masochism. This is a form of masochism. This is a form of
aggressive sex-play that aggressive sex-play that
involves binding and acts of involves binding and acts of
violence and discipline.violence and discipline.

16. Male Anti-Masturbation Male Anti-Masturbation
Devices and Chastity BeltsDevices and Chastity Belts
Since men, and more so adolescent Since men, and more so adolescent
boys, were noted for being chronic boys, were noted for being chronic
masturbators, there were a number of masturbators, there were a number of
devices designed to control this devices designed to control this
desire.desire.
Moral ideals, fostered by religious Moral ideals, fostered by religious
beliefs and influential political beliefs and influential political
movements, drove the need to design movements, drove the need to design
these devices.these devices.
While the devices were used to keep While the devices were used to keep
physical contact with the genitals to a physical contact with the genitals to a
minimum, they were also commonly minimum, they were also commonly
combined with mental and emotional combined with mental and emotional
therapy and religious interventions.therapy and religious interventions.
Since the time of their design, Since the time of their design,
masturbation has come to be known masturbation has come to be known
by the term of “pleasuring oneself.” by the term of “pleasuring oneself.”
This change in mentality has This change in mentality has
repealed the necessity of these repealed the necessity of these
devices, redirecting their continuing devices, redirecting their continuing
existence to a different stimulus, existence to a different stimulus,
again the BD/SM movement.again the BD/SM movement.

17. This is an example of a modern, BD/SM based male chastity This is an example of a modern, BD/SM based male chastity
belt. Note the three small locks and ringed shaft compartment, belt. Note the three small locks and ringed shaft compartment,
flexible to allow for movement and expansion, but too flexible to allow for movement and expansion, but too
constraining to allow for sexual stimulation or activity.constraining to allow for sexual stimulation or activity.

18. Drawn Tight to Drawn Tight to
ConclusionsConclusions
The overall history of the chastity belt is not as far reaching into history as originally The overall history of the chastity belt is not as far reaching into history as originally
thought.thought.
Many misrepresentations were taken from medieval poetry and construed into the Many misrepresentations were taken from medieval poetry and construed into the
physical concept of iron and locks.physical concept of iron and locks.
Most “medieval” belts were actually dated to being either modern interpretations or Most “medieval” belts were actually dated to being either modern interpretations or
the occasional real belt from the Renaissance period in Italy.the occasional real belt from the Renaissance period in Italy.
The revival of the 19The revival of the 19
thth
century was fostered by women dealing with harsh and century was fostered by women dealing with harsh and
abusive working conditions in modern factories, as well as the medical profession’s abusive working conditions in modern factories, as well as the medical profession’s
push for sexual and masturbatory restraint.push for sexual and masturbatory restraint.
Today’s chastity belts are commonly designed as artistic replicas of older designs, Today’s chastity belts are commonly designed as artistic replicas of older designs,
with others falling into the leather-clad domination movement of the BD/SM with others falling into the leather-clad domination movement of the BD/SM
mentality.mentality.
Overall, they have not really been used to serve the purpose of forcing a female to Overall, they have not really been used to serve the purpose of forcing a female to
keep chaste to ease the mental anguish of others. They have been short lived with keep chaste to ease the mental anguish of others. They have been short lived with
little use found to be appropriate in the modern age.little use found to be appropriate in the modern age.
They seemed to have held the same, if not more power when they were They seemed to have held the same, if not more power when they were
considered a metaphorical promise between a couple as when developed using considered a metaphorical promise between a couple as when developed using
metal, leather, and locks. Perhaps this is simply a case of poetic irony that they metal, leather, and locks. Perhaps this is simply a case of poetic irony that they
should be developed and manufactured in the first place.should be developed and manufactured in the first place.

19. Works CitedWorks Cited
Ben-Dov, Yoav. Ben-Dov, Yoav. Masturbation: the alleged 19Masturbation: the alleged 19
thth
century “killer of century “killer of
youths”youths”. Yoav Ben-Dov: bendov.info. 2006 . Yoav Ben-Dov: bendov.info. 2006
<http://bendov.info/cours/sources/masturb/masturb.htm><http://bendov.info/cours/sources/masturb/masturb.htm>
Chastity BeltChastity Belt. Answers.com. 2007. . Answers.com. 2007.
<http://www.answers.com/topic/chastity-belt><http://www.answers.com/topic/chastity-belt>
Stengers, Jean and Anne van Neck; translated by Kathryn Stengers, Jean and Anne van Neck; translated by Kathryn
Hoffmann. Hoffmann. Masturbation: the history of a great terrorMasturbation: the history of a great terror. New York: . New York:
Palgrave. 2001.Palgrave. 2001.
The Chastity Belt: myths and factsThe Chastity Belt: myths and facts. H2G2 Network: bbc.co.uk. 8 . H2G2 Network: bbc.co.uk. 8
June 2004. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2430118>June 2004. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2430118>
Thor, Jan. Thor, Jan. True StoriesTrue Stories. The Chastity Belt Page. 2007. . The Chastity Belt Page. 2007.
<http://www.janthor.de/khgstories.html><http://www.janthor.de/khgstories.html>