Of Bits and Pieces

This article explores the gender and species dynamics depicted in a medieval aphorism from the Mesnagier de Paris (ca. 1392–1405), which compares the qualities of a good horse to those of a maiden. The aphorism lists characteristics such as a handsome mane, a beautiful chest, fine-looking loins, and large buttocks. Although presented as common knowledge, the grammatical structure of the list raises questions about whether the maiden belongs to the human or animal realm. This study traces the origins and variations of this theme by examining the compilation of desirable horse qualities, the fragmented depiction of animals, and the sexualized association between women and horses. The aim is to uncover an ontological shift that occurred during the late Middle Ages, wherein a fragmented description of the female body rendered her available for both literal and metaphorical consumption, gradually replacing the horse as the ultimate symbol of what can be ridden.