In civilised York, a few hundred years ago, an unmarried woman who became pregnant could expect corporal punishment, forced abortion, or even death. The pregnancies were all immaculate conceptions, as accused members of the male population assured judges they were definitely never involved. Saints apparently, victims of scheming wenches.
During the same period, in remote Shetland, an unmarried woman, clearly pregnant, was commanded to appear before the church minister. He asked her who the father was.
The named man was sent for. He confessed. The couple were ordered to…. wait for it… confess their sin before God and congregation. Then they were free to go their separate ways, and that child eventually grew up in their community.
So I ask you, who exactly were the civilized; the remote crofters, or the city with it’s celebrated education and grand churches?
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