Nocturnal Revels
Encyclopedia
Nocturnal Revels is a 1779 two-volume book about prostitution
in 18th-century London
.
The title page introduces the book as "the history of King's-Place and other modern nunneries", written by a "monk of the Order of St Francis". It soon becomes clear, however, that the Order of St Francis
is a mockingly religious name for the Hellfire Club
, and the "modern nunneries" he describes are in fact brothel
s.
The writer provides a detailed description of life at the high-class brothel of Charlotte Hayes
in King's-Place (now Pall Mall Place), off Pall Mall, London
. There is an itemised price list from a typical day in the brothel, with entries including a client named Doctor Frettext, who would pay two guineas for the services of Poll Nimblewrist or Jenny Speedyhand. We are also given a harrowing account of the recruitment techniques by which Charlotte Hayes tricked young women into joining the brothel.
Most of the book consists of anecdotes about the high-society figures who frequented King's-Place or were otherwise involved with prostitutes. Their names are partly blanked out, but obviously recognisable, with a Miss Armstrong appearing as "Armstr_ng". Particular mention is given to the exploits of the Duke of Queensberry
and the Earl of Sandwich
.
The second volume opens with an impassioned defence of prostitution as a social necessity:
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
in 18th-century London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
The title page introduces the book as "the history of King's-Place and other modern nunneries", written by a "monk of the Order of St Francis". It soon becomes clear, however, that the Order of St Francis
Francis Dashwood, 15th Baron le Despencer
Francis Dashwood, 15th Baron le Despencer was an English rake and politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer and founder of the Hellfire Club.-Early life:...
is a mockingly religious name for the Hellfire Club
Hellfire Club
The Hellfire Club was a name for several exclusive clubs for high society rakes established in Britain and Ireland in the 18th century, and was more formally or cautiously known as the "Order of the Friars of St. Francis of Wycombe"...
, and the "modern nunneries" he describes are in fact brothel
Brothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
s.
The writer provides a detailed description of life at the high-class brothel of Charlotte Hayes
Charlotte Hayes
Charlotte Hayes was a highly successful brothel keeper in early Georgian London, and the owner of some of the city's most luxurious brothels in and around King's Place, in St James's.-Biography:...
in King's-Place (now Pall Mall Place), off Pall Mall, London
Pall Mall, London
Pall Mall is a street in the City of Westminster, London, and parallel to The Mall, from St. James's Street across Waterloo Place to the Haymarket; while Pall Mall East continues into Trafalgar Square. The street is a major thoroughfare in the St James's area of London, and a section of the...
. There is an itemised price list from a typical day in the brothel, with entries including a client named Doctor Frettext, who would pay two guineas for the services of Poll Nimblewrist or Jenny Speedyhand. We are also given a harrowing account of the recruitment techniques by which Charlotte Hayes tricked young women into joining the brothel.
Most of the book consists of anecdotes about the high-society figures who frequented King's-Place or were otherwise involved with prostitutes. Their names are partly blanked out, but obviously recognisable, with a Miss Armstrong appearing as "Armstr_ng". Particular mention is given to the exploits of the Duke of Queensberry
William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry
William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry KT was a Scottish nobleman.Born in Peebles, Queensberry was the only son of William Douglas, 2nd Earl of March, and his wife, Lady Anne Hamilton....
and the Earl of Sandwich
John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich
John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, PC, FRS was a British statesman who succeeded his grandfather, Edward Montagu, 3rd Earl of Sandwich, as the Earl of Sandwich in 1729, at the age of ten...
.
The second volume opens with an impassioned defence of prostitution as a social necessity:
- "Even in the state of matrimony itself, it often happens, that a man who holds his wife in the highest estimation, may be debarred the felicity of hymeneal raptures, from sickness, absence, and a variety of other temporary causes, which may with facility be imagined. If, in any of those situations, a man could not find temporary relief in the arms of prostitution, the peace of Society would be far more disturbed than it is: The brutal Ravisher would stalk at large, and would plead, as in the case of hunger, that the violence of his passion would break down even stone walls: No man's wife, sister, or daughter would be in a state of security: The rape of the SabineSabineThe Sabines were an Italic tribe that lived in the central Appennines of ancient Italy, also inhabiting Latium north of the Anio before the founding of Rome...
s would be daily rehearsed, and anarchy and confusion ensue. In this point of view then, at least, female prostitution should be winked at, if not protected; and though it may be pronounced a moral evil, it certainly is a political good."