Leather Object Report
Leather Strap-On Dildo
Lady Teleri the Well-Prepared
Persona Pentathlon, KASF 2010
Category IV
Summary
● Dildos were well-known from ancient times
● Burchard of Worms gives penance for using one tied on with fasteners (1012)
● Pentitential of Bede (Anglo-Saxon, eighth century, probably not by Bede) gives penance for nuns using one
● Probably the 'wrong' answer to one of the mini-riddles in Exeter Book Riddle 12
● 'Right' answer to the mini-riddle and answer to Riddle 12 overall ("ox"), together with common sense, suggest leather as construction material
● Hardened cuir bouilli leather a possibility; stuffed is another
● Fashioned dildo from leather using turnshoe construction techniques, stuffed with polyester batting
● Attached to leather base with slits for fasteners, so that they can be removed. This way, girdles or garters can be used instead of bands needing to be purpose-made.
● Fasteners might be tablet woven bands although there are many options
● It stays on although I can't say how well it works
Overview
It's a strap-on leather dildo. It was used just how you'd expect.
No, not this particular one. It's okay to touch it.
Contemporary Evidence
Eighth century Anglo-Saxon nuns doin' it
"If nuns with a nun, using an instrument, seven years [penance]." From the eight century
Penitential of Bede (Murray 198). (The Penitential of Bede was likely not by Bede, but it was an Anglo-Saxon manuscript.)
Tenth century Welsh slave doin' it solo
Below are two translations of an Exeter Book riddle (c. 960 - 990) whose answer is "ox."
(Williamson and Crossley-Holland count the book's riddles differently, hence the different numbers.) After the first two lines, the poem becomes a series of mini-riddles about things made out of oxhide. We see leather thongs, a leather cup or bottle, and an oxhide rug or mat. Then we get to a Welsh slave doing something quite obscure...
Riddle 10 (Williamson)
Foot-furrowing, I walk and wound
Living I ravage the raw land;
Lifeless I bind lord
Lady Teleri the Well-Prepared
Persona Pentathlon, KASF 2010
Category IV
Summary
● Dildos were well-known from ancient times
● Burchard of Worms gives penance for using one tied on with fasteners (1012)
● Pentitential of Bede (Anglo-Saxon, eighth century, probably not by Bede) gives penance for nuns using one
● Probably the 'wrong' answer to one of the mini-riddles in Exeter Book Riddle 12
● 'Right' answer to the mini-riddle and answer to Riddle 12 overall ("ox"), together with common sense, suggest leather as construction material
● Hardened cuir bouilli leather a possibility; stuffed is another
● Fashioned dildo from leather using turnshoe construction techniques, stuffed with polyester batting
● Attached to leather base with slits for fasteners, so that they can be removed. This way, girdles or garters can be used instead of bands needing to be purpose-made.
● Fasteners might be tablet woven bands although there are many options
● It stays on although I can't say how well it works
Overview
It's a strap-on leather dildo. It was used just how you'd expect.
No, not this particular one. It's okay to touch it.
Contemporary Evidence
Eighth century Anglo-Saxon nuns doin' it
"If nuns with a nun, using an instrument, seven years [penance]." From the eight century
Penitential of Bede (Murray 198). (The Penitential of Bede was likely not by Bede, but it was an Anglo-Saxon manuscript.)
Tenth century Welsh slave doin' it solo
Below are two translations of an Exeter Book riddle (c. 960 - 990) whose answer is "ox."
(Williamson and Crossley-Holland count the book's riddles differently, hence the different numbers.) After the first two lines, the poem becomes a series of mini-riddles about things made out of oxhide. We see leather thongs, a leather cup or bottle, and an oxhide rug or mat. Then we get to a Welsh slave doing something quite obscure...
Riddle 10 (Williamson)
Foot-furrowing, I walk and wound
Living I ravage the raw land;
Lifeless I bind lord