Disorderly women in eighteenth-century London

About this book

"The book opens with a general scene-setting introduction before examining the experience of prostitution in detail, including the social origins of the women, the structure of the trade, prostitutes income, sexual practices, and disease. This is followed by chapters on the geography of prostitution and prostitutes' ambiguous relationship with the law. From there, Dr. Henderson looks in detail at how the streets and 'disorderly houses' were policed in practice - the different policing systems with which the women interacted, their relationship with the Watch (the police), and the legal and judicial systems. The book concludes with an examination of the changing attitudes towards prostitution and prostitutes during this period." "Written with the non-specialist reader in mind, this is an accessible and lively book which cannot fail to fascinate a wide audience."--Jacket.