An eye-opening and richly detailed history of women's sexuality that upends entrenched perceptions of the long eighteenth century.
Libertine London investigates the sex lives of women throughout the period 1680 to 1830, known as the long eighteenth century. The book uncovers the various experiences of women, whether as mistresses, adultresses, or as participants in the sex trade. From renowned courtesans to downtrodden streetwalkers, it examines the multifaceted lives of these women within brothels, on stage, and even behind bars. Based on new research in court transcripts, asylum records, magazines, pamphlets, satires, songs, theater plays, and erotica,Libertine London reveals the gruesome treatment of women who were sexually active outside of marriage.
Julie Peakman looks at sex from women's points of view, undercutting the traditional image of the bawdy eighteenth century to expose a more sordid side, which often left women distressed, ostracized, and vilified for their sexual behavior.
Author(s): Julie Peakman
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Year: 2024
Language: English
Pages: 360
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
Prologue: Libertines in London
1. Rambles through London
2. Streetwalkers
3. Brazen Bawds
4. The Celebrated Courtesan
5. Public Opinion: The Way with Whores
6. Stage Strumpets
7. Libertines and Their Fashions
8. Mad About the Boy
9. Quacks, the Pox and the New Sexual Predators
10. Rape on Trial
11. Seduction, Abduction and Adultery
12. Royal Mistresses
References
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index