E. J. Burford

The Orrible Synne

A Look at London Lechery from Roman to Cromwellian Times

London 1973, format: 14x22 cm

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Of pimps and panders, prostitutes, procurers and brothel madams: E. J. Burford reveáis the secrets of those who practised "The Orrible Synne" of lechery in and about the City of London through centuries of British lusting from Román to Cromwellian times.

In this fascinatingly frank and bawdy book the auíhor views history from a new perspective. For instance the Plantagenet and Tudor kings are seen not as victors of international wars but as losers of the fight against ubiquitous lascivious-ness in London and the realm. Repeatedly, E. J. Burford relates, kings and mayors have passed edicts against whores and whoredom; and ordained terrible punishments, such as the pillory, stocks, cage and the ducking stool, for those who indulged themselves sexually.

As a parallel with the principal theme of this book, the author shows up the abominable social conditions of the common people in general and the practitioners of the "orrible synne" in particular—most suffered from the "filthy diseases" without being fully aware that they themselves were responsible for spreading such ¡lis as syphilis and gonorrhoea.

E. J. Burford has developed his story from the historical sources, going again and again to mediaeval records and texts to establish ñames and facts. A typical vignette: the "Rose Streets" and "Rose Alleys" of London and Southwark never saw a rose or a rose bush; only the lewd gentlemen who went to "pluck roses".

And the many revealing illustrations he has sought out add greatly to the novelty of his history.

E. J. Burford was a businessman for many years and has devoted the last three years of his retirement to the study in depth of London Social History, drawing on original documenta-tion, much of it published here for the first time. He has also published Queen of the Bawds, The Story of Madam Britannica Hollandia and her house of Obsenitie, Hollands Leaguer.

Contents

Page

A Twelfth Century Introduction to Lechery

Preface 9

1. 'Quo Loco Recta Via Ad Lupanar, Amicus?' 13

2.
'Hwilc Weig Horhusweard, Brothur,

An Godes Ñaman?' 33

3. Royal Recognition for the Orrible Synne 45

4. Over the New Bridge to the Old Stews 58

5. Of Thieves and Whores and Boatmen 64

6. Wo Was Thanne a Gentilman? 89

7. For to Eschewe the Orrible Stynkynge Synne 108

8. Oíd Tenny Pincher' Gloses the Stews 122

9. Of the Clink and the Cucking-Stool

for the Corrección of Loóse Wornen

10. Henry VIII Gloses the Stews 136

11. Now the City Controls Southwark 147
12 Of Sex and Sewers: of Schetyng-pannes

and Syphilis 151

13. Of Buggery, Bear-baiting and Bawdy-houses 166

14. The Playhouse is Their Place of Traffic 178

15. 'Eschewe Vile Venus' Toys . . .' 189

16. Hollands Leaguer 208

17. Kings and Commonwealth 216

18. Leisure for Lords, Hell for Harlots 226

19. 'CUNNO OPT.MIN.' 239
Iconography 243
Index 245