Let’s go through some of the themes surrounding the idea of sexual chastity devices with a trip guiding us through the complete History Of Chastity Devices.
Chastity has become an increasingly popular sexual practice, whereby the sexual power of one individual is placed into another. Chastity results in one member of the relationship holding the power to sexual release and climax. There are many psychological aspects which are placed onto this sexual practice which we will explore.
From there we will look at some of the types of devices. How to pick a device? What best suits your needs? Finally, the care and maintenance of both the device and the wearer.
Medical Risks Are Associated With Extended Chastity
Extended chastity device use poses its own risks and merits. These need to be carefully explored. You will find medical articles here that not only explain the science of male chastity, but also the potential dangers.
One of the most common questions when it comes to chastity devices, is
what interests people in partaking in chastity practices?
Put simply it concerns an exchange of power. Where some BDSM practices result in physical restraints, or psychological restraining through a dominant and submissive relationship. Chastity exists through the combination of these, as well as uniquely seeing the restraining of sexual experiences.
What is The Purpose of Chastity Devices Through Time?
Chastity sex toys are thought to have existed for a lot longer than people think. Like most BDSM practices it was often thought to have originated from Medical and Victorian practices. Indeed the idea of chastity was said to have risen to prominence within the 18th Century, though it had been said to have existed for a time before that.
Chastity devices are often viewed by the general population as a sexually restrictive device worn by women. This idea stems from social roles of men and women, during an age when women were suffering from oppression. Witnessed through the Middle Age, contextual thought of a lord or knight leaving his woman securely ‘bolted up’, while he went off to have to war. Or extended campaign missions to serve the Aristocracy.
It’s difficult not to think that this might have solved half the problems in Westeros and Game of Thrones. But then we’d be missing some of the more important story lines.
Whilst we can’t deny that such dvices did exist and were probably used. Most illustrations and ‘authentic’ period pieces which are to be found in exhibition halls, are currently viewed by specialists as fakes. Generally made in the nineteenth century to titillate guests.
That’s right, current research into chastity devices has thrown concerns and doubts as to when and where chastity devices actually grew in popularity.
History Of Chastity Devices
The history of chastity is often said to be so secret that no-one actually knew that it existed!
Chastity belts have long been associated with women in the Middle Ages to prevent sexual intercourse. As a form of enforcing loyalty and preventing infidelity when knights and warriors went off to fight on behalf of the Aristocracy.
Researchers have discovered that there is no evidence of chastity device in verified Medieval texts. This fact has caused much curiosity and puzzlement among historians and researchers. The question becomes, if they didn’t exist in medieval times, where has the chastity belt come from?
When and Where Did The Chastity Belt Come From?
Albrecht Classen is a self-proclaimed expert of Chastity devices and has published a book titled ‘The Medieval Chastity Belt: a Myth-making Process'(Palgrave Macmillan, 2007). He has said in this book that the first mention of the chastity device occurred on a treatise. On siege machines written by an alleged German Engineer and artist, Konrad Kyese.
This document, entitled Bellifortis, is thought to have been written around 1405 and contained detailed images about siege weapons used by Alexander the Great. It included a variety of mythical and fantastical instruments for torture and war. The thing that concerns Classen is that whilst there is an image for a chastity device in this work, there are also a number other fantastical creastion. Some with text of crude jokes concerning flatulence, and ‘magical’ devices thought to make people disappear.
In other words, not everything in this work is to be taken seriously.
The concept for the chastity belt was added as an afterword in his document. Classen argues that this had originally been intended as an imaginative joke. The joke however seems to have stuck and continued on as an entertaining and popular subject of humour and satire. Classen goes on to support this by writing in his book that,
“No Author Of Sermon Literature, Of Penitentiary Texts, Or Didactic And Legal Writers Has Ever Mentioned The Chastity Belt Probably Because Already The Basic Idea Behind It Defies The Basic Needs Of The Human (Female) Body.”
Classen Argues That Medieval Chastity Belts Are A Joke
In essence, we see Classen arguing that there is a distinct lack of any form of reliable historical reference or evidence that the chastity device was worn. Further, that there is exceptionally little logic to support their existence. In a world where illness and disease ran rife, the idea that rough, hard and metallic objects could be worn like this without causing illness or infection defies belief.
This is an argument that is also supported by historical experts at the Semmelweis Museum. A museum which ran an exhibition of the History of Chastity devices in 2010.
A 16th Century historian and a curator for the Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire England also agrees with Classen. The British Medical Journal, Lesley Smith wrote an article in 2007. In ti she stated that she has extensively traveled the word, examining art collections, historical pieces, but is yet to have seen a chastity belt. Smith also is of the belief that the ‘joke’ stuck, because the concept is understandable given the context of social beliefs concerning sex and sexuality at the time.
Why Did The Chastity Device Joke Stay?
Medieval Europe was a period in which any form of sexual activity that was not related to conception was a sin and ultimately forbidden. A chastity device fits into this contextual belief. This has resulted in historians, researchers and studies concerning the chastity device, to fail to notice the allegorical and satirical humour behind the device.
Instead resulting in the proclamation that the chastity device was real.
Sarah Bond, an assistant Professor at the University of Iowa, has suggested something slightly different. Whilst she acknowledges that the metallic devices were probably rarely used, or considered jokes by the Victorians. She does suggest that there are social practices which precede the chastity belts . Bond explains that Chastity Belts actually originated in Ancient Rome.
Brides in Ancient Rome would wear a corded belt to symbolize one’s chastity, and would later be taken off by her husband. As such, the idea that a belt would signify modesty and chastity, was a social practice that continued throughout the Middle Ages. This ultimately might be the reason for the joke.
Chastity Belts Actually Originate From Ancient Rome
The once fabric corded belt could have evolved into a belt ornately designed with metal to symbolize chastity. This seperated the working class (fabric belt) and the upper class (metal belt). Worn around the hips, as opposed to around the female genitals.
Most historians concerning female chastity devices continually refer back to same point; that the idea of a chastity device had intended to be a joke. A failure to acknowledge this is seen as being consistent with a practice where modern historians and researchers conjure a more ‘barbaric’ version of Medieval society, than what had actually existed in truth.
Regardless of whether you subscribe to the idea that chastity devices are a great joke, or whether you believe that they originated from Ancient Roman customs. Or even if you believe that they have existed,and that historians have attempted to cover up a great sex joke. One cannot deny that they have ultimately morphed into a popular sexual fetish. Though it really wasn’t until the introduction of the world-wide web until these devices became more popular, to zest up a sexual relationship.
How Are Modern Day Chastity Devices Used?
Even now they can be used in averting masturbation. They deny sexual activity to anyone other than the holder of the key to the chastity device. The key holder being the primary person (usually a dominant) who had the key to the chastity toy. They can unlock the partner for sexual activity at any point that they chose.
Male chastity devices all have two things in common.
The first being that they are designed to prevent an erection. They do this by either having a short cage which barely fits a flaccid penis, or (especially useful for those with large flaccid cocks). Or an angled piece whereby the angle is so sharp that an erection is impossible.
Second, they are designed to be locked up by the key holder, or their partner, in order to prevent tampering.
What Are Male Chastity Devices Designed To Do?
Male Chastity Devices are designed for people that don’t trust their partner or like a little more control in their relationship. These include a mistress, slave/master and slave relationships. Even long distance relationships, or for people entering into the world of BDSM.
There are so many different styles and variations of styles it is sometimes difficult to be keep up to date. The latest of chastity toys specifically for men in a wide variety of styles and that will suit your specific needs. If you need a cage that can be easily cleaned whilst still being worn, we can point you in the right direction. Or a cage that’s a little bit more torturous than most, our friends at the cockringshop will have it. There are also specific cages that can be used with piercings – and they stock those as well.
All your chastity toys will come with a unique lock and key. Once you get all you have to do is ensure the safety of that key, by putting it in a safe place. Many people with chastity devices like to put the key around a necklace chain or an ankle chain. That way it is within plain site of their partner, but it still can’t be touched.
What a tease!
Chastity devices may not be used to enforce fidelity as it was once thought to have done. Though we do acknowledge that some people use them this way now for that specific purpose. They are used as a form of exchanging power. Indeed, in a great social back-flip, chastity devices have switched the focus onto being worn by males as opposed to females!