Medieval theology dated ensoulment at 40 days for males and 80 for females

Evidence

A Middle Ages penitential book declares: “If a pregnant woman destroys her fruit before forty-five days, she is subject to a penitence of one year. For sixty days, three years. And finally, if the infant is already animated, she should be tried for homicide.” The book, however, adds: “There is a great difference between a poor woman who destroys her infant for the pain she has to feed it and the one who has no other reason but to hide a crime of fornication.” — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 274 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Medieval penance graded abortion severity by fetal age and by motive — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 274

Broader Connections

• Medieval penance graded abortion severity by fetal age and by motive #expands (0.85) — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 274