Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain

Description

Peek beneath the bedsheets of eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century Britain in this affectionate, informative and fascinating look at sex and sexuality during the reigns of Georges I-IV. It examines the prevailing attitudes towards male and female sexual behavior, and the ways in which these attitudes were often determined by those in positions of power and authority. It also explores our ancestors’ ingenious, surprising, bizarre and often entertaining solutions to the challenges associated with maintaining a healthy sex life. Did the people in Georgian Britain live up to their stereotypes when it came to sexual behavior? This book will answer this question, as well as looking at fashion, food, science, art, medicine, magic, literature, love, politics, faith and superstition through a new lens, leaving the reader enlightened and with a new regard for the ingenuity and character of our ancestors. Cover Dedication Book Title Copyright Table of Contents Preface Chapter 1: Matters Medical Chapter 2: London: As Others Saw Us Chapter 3: How Royalty and the Rich Behaved Chapter 4: Courtesans, Celebrity Whores and Fashionistas Chapter 5: Of Virginity and Masturbation, of Dildos and Sex Aids Chapter 6: Aphrodisiacs, Libido and Fertility Chapter 7: Ways of Avoiding Pregnancy: Including Contraception and Abortion Plate Section Chapter 8: Sexually Transmitted Diseases and their Treatment Chapter 9: Rape Chapter 10: Bigamy, Bestiality and Brothel-keeping Chapter 11: Where it All Happened: Brothels, Bagnios and Jelly Houses Chapter 12: Sodomites Chapter 13: Sapphites, Flagellation and Cross-dressers Chapter 14: Sex and Sexuality in Eighteenth-century Literature and Art Conclusion Appendix I Appendix 2 Bibliography Back Cover