Mother Clap's Molly House; the gay subculture in England 1700-1830

This pioneering historical study is the first comprehensive chronicle of the English gay community at its eighteenth century roots, sporting for the first time a distinctive subculture with its 'molly houses', 'sodomites' walks', 'maiden names' and gay slang. Rictor Newton's research into trial records and contemporary documents establishes a vital cornerstone for the reconstruction of gay history.Challenging in its demonstration that the molly subculture was primarily a working-class community of blacksmiths, milkmen, publicans and shopkeepers, Mother Clap's Molly House also records the exuberant lives of personalities such as Charles Hitchin the 'thief-taker', the dramatists Samuel Foote and Isaac Bickerstaff, William Beckford of Fonthill, and Rev. John Church, prosecuted for his blessing of gay marriages. All these are set against a backdrop of persecution, blackmail and the pillory. And yes, 'Mother Clap's' actually was the name of a prominent molly house!

Author: Rictor Norton
Publisher: Tempus
Extra Details: Hardback + Jacket 7 x 10 inches tall,445 Pages, illustrated with B&W drawings throughout.