The Orrible Synne: A Look at London Lechery from Roman to Cromwellian Times

Of pimps and panders, prostitutes, procurers and brothel madams: E. J. Burford reveals the secrets of those who practised "The Orrible Synne" of lechery in and about the City of London through centuries of British lusting from Roman to Cromwellian times. In this fascinatingly frank and bawdy book the author 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 lasciviousness 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 conditons 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 they themselves were responsible for spreading such ills 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 names 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.