prices for prostitution

[claire]

Hi there,
I know that this has been covered in other threads, but I'm b***ered if I can find the posts again...

I just wanted to find the source for the fourpence encounter with prostitutes in our geographical and temporal range of interest...I was just (to my shame) browsing through that Monaghan book (JtR's Secret Confession) and noting that the Secret Life stated that he paid women 5, 10 shillings--sometimes up to 10 and 20 pounds. Clearly, this top range related to higher class (class in the vernacular, not necessarily higher social class) and younger women in rooms and houses offering particular services...but, even looking at the lower end, the difference between 4d and 5 shillings seems to me to be a heck of a chasm.

So, can anyone please point me to a reference that states the sum that our ladies would have charged? It would be most appreciated; I am going to be asked about it in my MPhil viva, I am sure, and I am woefully ill-prepared! Thanks, muchly, as usual.

[protohistorian]

http://www.casebook.org/victims/polly.html I believe Donald Rumbelow was the one who discovered the prices for sexual services but I cannot remeber the book just now. It is mentioned in the above link. Hope this helps, Dave

[Chris]

Originally Posted by claire

I was just (to my shame) browsing through that Monaghan book (JtR's Secret Confession) and noting that the Secret Life stated that he paid women 5, 10 shillings--sometimes up to 10 and 20 pounds.

There's also the odd story of a man giving a woman in Hanbury Street "two brass medals, or bright farthings, as half sovereigns" on the morning of Chapman's murder:
http://www.casebook.org/press_report.../18880911.html

[claire]

Thanks for these, both of you; much appreciated

[c.d.]

I'm still trying to figure out what b***ered means. I have a feeling this is another word that we don't use here across the pond.

c.d.

[claire]

c.d...yes, not an Across The Pond term, I think. try this...*ugger**

[c.d.]

Originally Posted by claire

c.d...yes, not an Across The Pond term, I think. try this...*ugger**

Thank you, Claire. You English are way ahead of us in colorful expressions.

c.d.

[j.r-ahde]

Hello you all!

Well, you may have a clue, that what a f***k she is talking about...

But me having Finnish as a first language cannot even guess....

All the best
Jukka

[claire]

Jukka, I am more intrigued as to what f***k stands for? Something a little rude in Suomi, perhaps?? Naffed if I know!

And, while I'm here--if anyone else has some references for me, that would be great. Just thinking that, if your rent was four and six a week, at 4d a time, that's 13 or 14 punters before you even eat or drink. Looking at doing, then, at least 30+ punters in a week before body loses sight of soul.

Off topic (and I won't stay long on it, or Gareth will come on to tell me off!), I suppose it would explain why MJK would entertain the thought of punters in her room, as they would doubtless pay rather more for it.

[j.r-ahde]

Hello claire!

Well, v***u in Finnish is practically, what the f***k is in English...

All right, that's enough about rude words, so;

Your thought about MJK preferring punters is quite good!

All the best
Jukka