Provides an account of the lives, suffering and everday reality of homosexual men in Europe between AD 500 and AD 1500. The author begins by tracing the development of criminal law from the Romans to the beginnings of modern Europe, and goes on to explore the differences and similarites in approaches towards homosexuality in past cultures. Legal cases in Germany and Italy are reviewed and the first English language translation of 15th century documents relating to same-sex trials in Cologne provide insight into prevailing attitudes.