Curious history of long toed shoes

Cameron Kippentoeslayer2000@yahoo.com.au

The influence of Islam In twelfth century the

influence of Islam permeated into European Court culture.

Returning crusaders adapted Islamic stories and philosophies and the origins of chivalry and courtly love are thought to come from this time period.

Courtly Love

“E d`amor mou castitaz“

(From love comes chastity)

The relationship was always illicit i.e. the woman was the wife of another, often a lord or patron.

Consummation of courtly love was virtually impossible.

Conventions of Woman Worship & Courtship Domnei - Gazing on a

partly or fully undressed lady.

Donnoi - A courting couple shared a bed but avoiding penetrative intercourse.

By these means the male lover proved his depth of his love.

Safe Sex

The Chastity Belt

Long toed shoes

Poulaines

Long Toed Shoes

24 inches longer than the foot

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Syphilis

Historians accept bacterium treponema palladium existed in Europe prior to the 15th century.

During the 16th century a syphilis epidemic spread throughout the Old World.

The presence of the pox and the knowledge of its transmission gave good reason to influence sexual practice.

Tertiary Syphilis

Tabes DorsalisGeneral paresis of the insane

Syphilitic myelopathy causesmuscle weakness and when combinedwith lack of sensations this createscoordination difficulties resulting in problems of wide basedwalking.

The progressive locomotor ataxiacauses people to stoop forward andwalk with a wide based, "high-stepping“ gait.

Brain damage causingimpaired mental functionwith serious personality anddelusional behaviours.

This often leaves the person a

semi imbecile

The Court Jester When the King was aSyphilitic, semi-

imbecile,the court jester servedas a useful distraction.

The presence of a Fooldisarmed criticism by making the King lookMore normal.

Sex Toys & Prophylactics

In both occidental and oriental societies masturbation with feet and shoes may have provided protection from sexually transmitted diseases.

Charcot Neuropathy

A Charcot foot

This describes aprogressivedeterioration of weight-bearing joints, usually inThe foot or ankle.

Bears Paw

In the 16th century records, archives and dated paintings confirm the fashion for extremely broad shoes (Bears Paw) became vogue across Europe in a very short space of time.

The broad shoes boasted of individual compartments for each toe and would have been ideal to accommodate Charcot Foot.

Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks

To all sources who madethis presentation notonly possible, but moreimportantly, plausible.

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