London, City of Sex Work

Stories from the history of the city's oldest profession.

Under Roman law, prostitution in Londinium was licensed and regulated as a legal business, a situation that has generally not been repeated since. Although Roman prostitution was legal, many prostitutes were slaves, and free prostitutes were denied the rights afforded to many other citizens, a situation that has often been repeated since.

Whores, harlots, courtesans, actressess, geese, street walkers, women of the night, prostitutes, escorts - the names may have changed but the presence of sex workers in the city has not.

Two of our foremost historians of sexuality tell tales of the many women, often poor, exploited and outcast but sometimes wealthy, succesful and celebrated, who have plied their trade in London.