Archive for the ‘Famous Courtesans’ Category
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
We have our own Goddesses, yes we are them too of course :), well all women are Goddesses really arent they? But we have had them, Goddesses dedicated to Courtesans, throughout cultures and history.
Basileia – Greek Goddess of the Courtesan was the daughter of Uranus (no sniggering at the back) and then there’s Bebhinn, in Irish mythology, Bebhinn was The Goddess of Pleasure and the name actually means beautiful woman or fair lady.
Ishtar is the Babylonian goddess of Love and War, embodied in the two aspects of the planet Venus–as Evening Star, She brings lovers to celebration and bed; and as the Morning Star, She brings the fiery sword of War. She represents one of the many faces of the ancient Near Eastern Great Goddess, among them the Phoenicians Asherat or Ashtoreth (in Greek Astarte) and Anat, Sumerian Inanna, Phrygian Cybele, and Greek Aphrodite , most of whom share legends of dying and resurrected lovers.
As goddess of love and sex, Ishtar is the force that draws mates together and brings fertility, both for humans and animals. She is goddess of Courtesans, and sacred prostitution was part of Her cult. She is Herself a harlot who took many lovers.
As goddess of war, Ishtar takes part in battle and is shown standing on the back of a lion bearing bow and arrows. She was known for a fiery and fickle temper which usually spelled doom for Her lovers. (Oh dear!)
One of Ishtar’s lovers was the grain-god Tammuz (who still has a Jewish month named after Him). He died young (as the grain is cut just as it reaches the perfection of ripeness), and some legends imply that Ishtar had a hand in His death. But Ishtar was inconsolable and determined to fetch him back from the Underworld. At each of the seven gates of the Land of the Dead Ishtar, like Inanna, was required to give over an article of clothing or jewelry until finally She came naked and humbled before Her sister Queen Ereshkigal, who then imprisoned Ishtar.
The world mourned for the lost goddess of love, and Her father Sin the Moon God sent an envoy armed with powerful magic who successfully rescued Her. Tammuz was eventually also brought back to live in the land of the gods. The descent of Ishtar was celebrated annually in Babylonian lands.
English Courtesan
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Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
I just managed to watch this dvd. I know, I know, I have been wanting to watch it for over a year now! Anyway, I did it and it was good. Thanks Mr N for the gift! x It was more of a love story than I thought it would be, ahhhh. Some great lines in the film too and of course stunning location – Venice. Try and watch it if you can. Its also called The Honest Courtesan for some reason.
Mr M read my post about men’s underpants and bought me a rather fetching pair of Dolce & Gabanna boxers. Hehehehe Very nice they look too, and ever so comfy, maybe I should wear men’s pants all the time ;). Thanks M!
How naughty am I? Only just back from my hols and I am already getting itchy feet. I fancy one of those spa breaks in Thailand or somewhere lush like that. Just a chill out, pamperings, great food and fabulous sunsets. You cant blame me really. Its not as though we have had a great summer (again), I think I blinked when we had those good few days. I get all excited, think this is it and peak too soon. I should appreciate the moment better. I know its a well worn cliche but summers really were better and longer when I was a kid. No I didnt live in the Bahamas (but I may one day :) Ho hum, Im off to check out some holiday sites.
Now you know I dont do quickies, but I couldnt resist…the joke I mean :)
While making love, he says:
- Darling, let’s do 68!
- 68??? What’s that?
- You do it to me and I’ll owe you one.
Hope you are having a good one if you are on holiday xxx
Devon Escort
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Posted in Famous Courtesans, Film, High days & holidays, History, London Courtesan (all), The Client, The Courtesan/Escort, The Southwest, Travel | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
There’s a new courtesan movie about to be released that I definitely have to see, here’s the synopsis…
Summary
Set in the luxurious demi-monde of pre First World War Paris, Chéri is the story of the love affair between the beautiful retired courtesan Léa (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Chéri (Rupert Friend) the son of her old colleague and rival, Madame Peloux (Kathy Bates).
Léa has educated the spoilt and callow boy in the ways of love, but after six years Madame Peloux has secretly arranged a marriage between Chéri and Edmée (Felicity Jones), daughter of another rich courtesan.
As the inevitable moment of parting approaches, Léa and Chéri try to come to terms with their imminent separation, but the roots of their life of ease and pleasure reach deeper than even they imagine and they begin to understand, too late, how much they mean to one another.
Release Dates
Germany | February 10, 2009 (Berlin Film Festival)
France, Belgium and Switzerland (French) | April 8, 2009
Italy | April 30, 2009
UK | May 8, 2009
USA | June 26, 2009
Australia | July 23, 2009
Switzerland (German) | August 27, 2009
Spain | November 6, 2009
Filming Locations
Biarritz (France), Paris (France), Cologne (Germany) and London (UK)
More HERE
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Sunday, January 18th, 2009
Cora Pearl (1835– 8 July 1886) was a famous courtesan of the 19th century French demimonde, born Emma Elizabeth Crouch.
Early life
Her date and place of birth are disputed, as she was believed to have forged her birth certificate, giving the date as 23 February 1842, and the place as Caroline Place, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, though it is more likely that she was born in London in 1835, and the family moved to Plymouth about 1837. Her father was the cellist and composer Frederick Nicholls Crouch. Pearl had inherited enough musical talent to perform the role of Cupid in an 1867 production of Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld.
Life as a courtesan
While she was still trying to find her way in London, Pearl became involved in a life of prostitution, and happened to meet several reasonably wealthy men who were interested in becoming involved with her for more than just an evening’s amusement. These men needed little convincing, as their main concern was an involvement with a woman who was pretty, and who could be socially acceptable, intelligent, witty and discreet. This was her doorway into life as a courtesan. She became the mistress of Robert Bignell, the proprietor of the Argyll Rooms. Together they visited Paris, a place she fell in love with so much that she refused to return to London with Bignell. In Paris she adopted the name of Cora Pearl, and embarked on a theatrical career, but was more successful for the sex appeal she exhibited than any other talents. Cora had learned excellent manners at the convent school she had attended in her youth, which helped her appeal to wealthy men. Cora’s theatrical reputation quickly began to spread, and it was not long before several rich and powerful men of France were involved with her romantically. Although she had little money, she began wearing dresses by Charles Worth and Laferriere with the idea that her appearance of wealth would attract wealthy men to her, and she was right. Victor Massena, the Duke of Rivoli, became her first major benefactor around this time. However, while with him, she developed a serious gambling habit, and after bailing her out financially one too many times, the Duke ended their affair. But she developed new benefactors, including some of the richest, most powerful men in Europe. A skilled craftsman of the time earned between two and four francs a day, she earned 5,000 a night. Her extravagant income allowed her to perform acts such as dancing nude on a carpet of orchids and then bathing before her dinner guests in a silver tub full of champagne, and no one seemed bothered by her Cockney French, or her frank self interest. According to Duc de Grammont-Caderousse, “If the Fréres Provençaux served an omlette with diamonds in it, Cora would be there every night.” Her lovers included, Prince Willem of Orange, son of King William III of the Netherlands; Prince Achille Murat, grandson of Joachim Murat; and the Duc de Morny, Napoleon III’s half-brother. Morny, described by one historian as “a taller, handsomer edition of the Emperor,” has been said to be the most intelligent and distinguished of her lovers, with an insatiable sexual appetite. As mistress of the Emperor’s brother, she felt important enough to rent the little Chateau de Beausejour on the banks of the Loiret outside Orleans in 1864, where she spent a small fortune entertaining. A few years after Morny’s premature death in 1865, Cora became the mistress to Prince Napoleon, cousin to Emperor Napoleon III. He bought her two homes in Paris and supported her financially until 1874.
Gambling, scandal and downfall
Pearl’s activities had earned her great wealth. By the late 1860s, she owned several houses, stables, the finest wardrobe and extravagant jewellery. British accounts reported that one bill for lingerie from a supplier in Paris came to more than £18,000. Pearl’s lifestyle did have a cost. One wealthy man, Alexandre Duval, harassed her constantly, never ceasing in his attempts to manipulate her. He threw large sums of money at her, and was extremely jealous of her involvement with other men. Her attempts at ending the relationship were unsuccessful. When she finally was able to end the affair, he came to her home, produced a gun and shot himself on her doorstep. (Duval was severely injured, but survived.) Pearl did not summon for help, nor contact the authorities. Instead, she retreated into her house, and went to sleep. Rumours of the incident spread quickly, and abruptly ended her theatre career. She fled to London, thinking that a change of scene might improve her spirits and her reputation, only to find that rumour had traveled faster than her ship. Her attempts at continuing her career as a courtesan in London were unsuccessful, as few men of wealth wanted to have her as an acquaintance. Returning to Paris, Pearl was dismayed to find that much had changed. The admirers of the past were gone. A new conservatism prevailed, and like London, no wealthy men would take her on. Her gambling habit continued, and she soon learned that shopkeepers and casinos expected to be paid promptly, one of the life skills Pearl had never mastered. However, she no longer had a wealthy benefactor to pick up the debt. In desperation, around 1876 she began to sell her possessions, first slowly, then ever faster, and returned from time to time to a life in prostitution. She lived in relative comfort for ten years despite her rising debt. By 1886, desperately ill with intestinal cancer, Pearl was forced to move to a shabby rooming house, where she died in poverty and virtually without anyone taking notice.
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Sunday, December 7th, 2008
Marie Duplessis (January 15, 1824 – February 3, 1847) was a French courtesan and mistress to a number of prominent and wealthy men. She was the inspiration for Marguerite Gautier, the main character of La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas the younger, one of Duplessis’ lovers. Much of what is known about her has been derived from the literary persona and contemporary legends.
Marie Duplessis was born Rose Alphonsine Plessis in 1824 at Nonant-le-Pin, Normandy, France. Her father became her de facto pimp when she was about 12 years old. At the age of 15, she moved to Paris where she found work in a dress shop.
As recorded in art of the day Marie Duplessis was evidently an extremely attractive young woman, with a petite figure and an enchanting smile. By the time she was 16, she had become aware that prominent men were willing to give her money in exchange for her company in both private and social settings. She became a courtesan and learned to read, write, and to stay abreast of world events so as to be able to converse on these topics with her clients and at social functions. She also added the faux noble “Du” to her name.
Life as a courtesan
Duplessis was both a popular courtesan and the hostess of a salon, where politicians, writers, and artists gathered for stimulating conversation and socializing. She rode in the Bois de Boulogne and attended opera performances. She also had her portrait painted by Édouard Viénot.
Duplessis was the mistress of Alexandre Dumas, fils between September 1844 and August 1845. Afterwards, she is believed to have become the mistress of composer Franz Liszt, who reportedly wished to live with her. Throughout her short life, her reputation as a discreet, intelligent, and witty lover was well known. She remained in the good graces of many of her benefactors even after her relationships with them had ended.
Marie Duplessis died of tuberculosis at the age of 23 on February 5, 1847. Two of her former lovers, Swedish Count Von Stakelberg and French count Édouard de Perregaux, whom she had briefly married, were by her side. Within a few weeks of her death, her belongings were auctioned off to pay her debts. Still, her funeral in Montmartre cemetery was said to have been lavish, and attended by hundreds of people.
Dumas’ romantic novel La Dame aux Camélias appeared within a year. In the book, Dumas became “Armand Duval” and Duplessis “Marguerite Gautier”. Dumas also adapted his story as a play, which inspired Verdi’s opera La Traviata and various films, often entitled Camille.
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Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
This is a great story…
Theodora was the wife of Justinian I who was crowned Emperor of the Byzantine Empire in 527 AD. As his wife, she ruled by his side, as his partner, and her intelligence helped to advance the Empire.
The exact place of her birth has not been agreed upon. While some historians say she was born on the island of Crete off the coast of Greece, others speculate that she might have been born in Syria. Whichever the case, she was brought up as the daughter of a bear trainer who worked at the Hippodrome (a huge stadium-like circus), in Constantinople. She worked there as a mime, and later as a full time actress. At the time, acting was not a highly esteemed occupation especially for women. While on stage she was remembered for her daring entertainment skills, off stage however, she lived a normal youthful life and was most remembered for her wild parties.
At the age of 16, she traveled to northern Africa as the companion of an official. (A Courtesan) She stayed there for 4 years before returning to Constantinople. She stopped by Alexandria, the capital of Egypt and here she adopted Monophysitism. This was a form of Christianity that believed that Jesus Christ was wholly divine and not both human and divine as was the orthodox Christian belief. Monophysites were thus not liked by orthodox Christians since their teachings did not conform to those of the orthodox church. On conversion to Monophysitism, she gave up her former lifestyle, and upon reaching Constantinople in 522, settled down as a wool spinner in a house near the palace of the Emperor. It was while in this humble lifestyle, at the age of 20, that she drew the attention of Justinian, then a government official.
Theodora was not only beautiful, but intelligent, witty and amusing, which is perhaps why she won Justinian’s love so much that he appealed against an old Roman law that forbade officials from marrying actresses in order to marry her. Justinian and Theodora were married in 525. In 527, Justin, the emperor of Byzantium, and Justinian’s father died. The couple assumed control of the Empire and were crowned Emperor and Empress on 4th April of that same year. They ruled unofficially as joint monarchs with Justinian allowing Theodora to share his throne and take active part in decision making.
Throughout her life, Theodora and Justinian transformed the city of Constantinople, building it into a city that for many centuries was known as one of the most wonderful cities in the world. They built aqueducts, bridges, and more than 25 churches, the most significant of these being the Hagia Sophia – ‘Church of Holy Wisdom’. To women, Theodora may well be considered a noble pioneer of the women’s liberation movement. She passed on laws prohibiting forced prostitution and established homes for prostitutes, passed rights that granted women more rights in divorce cases, instituted the death penalty for rape and established laws allowing women to own and inherit property. She also provided safe shelter for Monophysite leaders who faced opposition from the majority orthodox Christians, even though her husband Justinian was an orthodox Christian.
Empress Theodora died on 28th June, 548. Her body was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostle, one of the splendid churches that she and Justinian had built in Constantinople. Beautiful mosaics in Empress Theodora’s remembrance exist to this day at the Church of San Vitale at Ravenna in Northern Italy (see pic above). Even after her death, her spirit lived on, and in this way she was able to have influence on the Empire. Through what she had begun, Justinian was able to bring harmony between the Monophysites and the Orthodox Christians, and the status of women in the Byzantine Empire was elevated high above that of the women in the Middle East and Europe.
Ref: http://www.thenagain.info/webChron/EastEurope/Theodora.html
Here’s a beautiful picture of Theodora. I love it!
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Friday, October 31st, 2008
Do you find this as fascinating as I do?
Catherine “Skittles” Walters (13 June 1839 – 4 August 1920) was a fashion trendsetter and, along with Alice Keppel, was one of the last of the great courtesans of Victorian London.
Walters was rumoured to have had leaders of political parties and a member of the British royal family amongst her benefactors. She was born the third of five children at 1 Henderson Street, Toxteth, Liverpool and moved to London before her twentieth birthday. Her father was Edward Walters, a customs official, who died in 1864. Her mother was Mary Ann Fowler.
Her nickname is thought to have originated from her working at a bowling alley in Chesterfield Street near Park Lane. (Skittles is the game which evolved into bowling.)
Her classical beauty was matched by her skill as a horsewoman, for which she was almost equally renowned.
In the 1860s the fascinating sight of Catherine riding on Rotten Row in Hyde Park drew huge crowds of sightseers. Aristocratic ladies copied the cut of her perfectly fitting “Princess” riding habit, and she was well known as a trendsetter. She was depicted in Sir Edwin Landseer’s 1861 painting “The Taming of the Shrew,” as a young woman controlling a frisky horse.
A letter written to the The Times in July 1861 described in detail the fever of anticipation caused by Catherine’s waiting admirers:
“Expectation is raised to its highest pitch: a handsome woman drives rapidly by in a carriage drawn by thoroughbred ponies. The driver is attired in the pork pie hat and the Poole paletot [a kind of loose-fitting cloak] introduced by ‘Catherine’, but alas!, she caused no effect at all, for she is not ‘Catherine’; she is only the Duchess of A-, the Marchioness of B-, the Countess of C-, or some other of ‘Catherine’s’ many imitators.” At last their patience was satisfied and Catherine herself appeared; she threaded her way through the throng, “commented upon by the hundreds who admire her and the hundreds who envy her”, speaking to a chosen few along the way. This done, “she turns, and drives back again towards Apsley House, and then away into the unknown world, nobody knows whither”.
She counted among her lovers Spencer Cavendish, the Marquess of Hartington (later the eighth Duke of Devonshire), whom she pursued to New York during the American Civil War; Napoleon III; the future King Edward VII; and the first love of the poet Wilfrid Scawen Blunt, who remained infatuated with her for the rest of his life.
During her life as a courtesan, her discretion and loyalty to her benefactors became the focal point of her career. There were many rumors about her being involved with certain wealthy men of the time, but she never confirmed nor denied these. This gave her great weight in the courtesan lifestyle, and made her a sought after commodity. This also gave long life to her career, and helped her to retire a wealthy woman of society around 1890.
She died of cerebral haemorrhage at her home at 15 South Street, Mayfair, and was buried in the graveyard of the Franciscan Monastery at Crawley.
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We have our own Goddesses, yes we are them too of course :), well all women are Goddesses really arent they? But we have had them, Goddesses dedicated to Courtesans, throughout cultures and history.
