Basic Types of Sexual  Behavior

1. Sexual Self-stimulation: History

Early Modern Times

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Europe was still largely unconcerned about childhood sexual activity and self-stimulation. For example, the French king Henri IV showed his small son the bed in which he had been conceived and then exposed himself to the boy, "stretching out his penis with his hand saying 'Behold what made you what you are.'” Indeed, as reported by the court physican, they young prince, later to beome king Louis XIII, had his penis frequently rubbed and caressed by his nurse and ladies of the court. As soon as he was able to walk about, he also became used to showing himself to adults, who would play with his penis and kiss it. As for masturbation, the royal household still followed the teachings of Galen: When the prince reached puberty, his “Master of the Robe” once saw him emerging from a bath with an erection. The alert attendant thereupon promptly proceeded to masturbate the adolescent with his hand - "a remedy which I have seen applied in England."

Henri IV (1553-1610) Louis XIII (1601-1643) The French kings Henri IV and Louis XIII were sexually uninhibited, and their court physicians still followed “classical” medical teachings. Accordingly, they considered masturbation to be natural and healthy.