Plaidoyer de M. Freydier contre l'introduction des cadenas et ceintures de chasteté, précédé d'une notice historique.

This work offers a vivid, scholarly protest against the long‑standing practice of restraining women with locks and chastity belts. Drawing on legal records, travel accounts, and ancient writers, the author traces how such devices have surfaced across continents—from the deserts of Ethiopia to the courts of Europe—presenting the brutal mechanics and the twisted logic that once justified them. The prose blends meticulous historical detail with a sharp moral voice, exposing how jealousy and the desire for ownership have repeatedly scarred societies.

Interwoven with the polemic is a concise historical note that situates these customs within broader cultural attitudes toward gender and sexuality. Readers will encounter striking descriptions of infibulation methods, the materials used, and the painful realities endured by countless women. The text invites reflection on the persistence of control over bodies and the enduring fight for bodily autonomy, making it a compelling study for anyone interested in the darker corners of social history.