At a time when there were almost no career openings for women a group of intrepid and gifted females scaled the heights of what was...

At a time when there were almost no career openings for women a group of intrepid and gifted females scaled the heights of what was literally a man's world - they became bawds. Mother Clap - women bawds were often known as Mother - ran male brothels, or Molly Houses. Elizabeth Holland had an immense moated mansion built on Bankside and for thirty years entertained the aristocracy, including royalty. When troops attempted to stop her trade and eject her from the house, she and her girls drove them off. The Georgian bawd Charlotte Hayes held a 'Cyprian Fete' at which gentlemen 'of the highest breeding' first watched athletic young men copulating with nubile whores and then joined in themselves. Fergus Linnane reveals the other side of London's years of pomp and splendour, painting a vivid picture of the bawds, their girls and their clients. Madams is fresh and original, offering humour, insight and a very candid view of the sexual behaviour of Londoners through the ages.

Author: Fergus Linnane
Publisher: History Press
Published: 03/12/2009
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.57lbs
Size: 7.60h x 5.00w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9780750933070

About the Author
Fergus Linnaneis an historian who has written widely on social history, including Drinking for England, The Encyclopedia of London Crime, The Lives of the English Rakes, London: The Wicked City, and London's Underworld."


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