From the famous sheela-na-gigs, through all the forms of exhibitionists - mermaids, centaurs, misers and priapic figures - extraordinary sculptures considered "obscene" by today's standards may be found on churches in Britain, Ireland, France and Spain. This book examines their origins and purposes and sees them not as sacrilegious figures, or magical fertility symbols, nor even as idols of ancient pre-Christian religions, but as serious works that dealt with the sexual customs and salvation of medival folk, and thus gave support to the Church's moral teachings.