Gone Medieval: Episode Summary – "Medieval Sex Workers"

In the January 28, 2025 episode of Gone Medieval, host Dr. Eleanor Jaenega explores the complex and often misunderstood world of medieval sex workers. Joined by guest Matt Lewis, a historian specializing in medieval studies, the episode delves into the societal roles, challenges, and personal narratives of sex workers in medieval Europe.

1. Introduction to Medieval Sex Work

Dr. Jaenega opens the episode by addressing the prevalence of sex workers in medieval society. She emphasizes that while modern perceptions often relate medieval sex work to stereotypes seen in media, the reality was far more nuanced. "The figure of the sex worker is one of those classic medieval tropes that comes up time and time again," she notes ([05:00]).

2. Understanding the Social Framework

Matt Lewis provides an overview of how sex work functioned as both a survival strategy and a regulated profession within medieval cities. He explains that sex work was widespread across various societal levels, primarily serving as a means of income for poorer women alongside other low-paid jobs like domestic service. "When cities themselves are growing from about the 12th century onwards... brothels became municipal employees," Lewis explains ([07:00]).

3. Legalization and Regulation of Brothels

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the institutionalization of brothels. Lewis describes how, particularly on the European continent from the 15th century, cities began establishing regulated brothels as public services. These establishments were designed to control and contain sex work, operating under strict rules to ensure they were "appealing" and maintained a semblance of respectability. "There's a fantasy aspect... they've got to be appealing," he states ([22:43]).

4. Challenges in Accessing Personal Narratives

Dr. Jaenega highlights the difficulty historians face in accessing the personal experiences of medieval sex workers due to the lack of direct records like diaries. Instead, researchers rely on judicial and inquisitorial records, which provide mediated insights into the lives of these women. "You can't go at it directly... you need to go through another avenue," Lewis comments ([12:39]).

5. Case Study: The Nurdlingen Brothel

The heart of the episode is a detailed case study from Nurdlingen, Germany, in the late 15th century. Lewis recounts the tragic story of Els von Eichstedt, a woman coerced into sex work who became pregnant. The brothel keepers attempted to induce a miscarriage using an abortifacient mixture, leading to Els suffering a miscarriage at 20 weeks ([32:54]). This case illustrates the severe exploitation and lack of autonomy experienced by sex workers.

6. Systemic Exploitation and Debt Bondage

Lewis discusses the systemic issues within medieval brothels, such as confiscation of personal possessions and inflated prices for necessities, effectively trapping women in debt bondage. "Everything they own is confiscated... they're never going to make enough money," he explains ([38:52]). This economic exploitation ensured the women remained dependent on the brothel keepers.

7. Shifts in Religious and Social Attitudes

As religious movements like the Reformation gained momentum, attitudes towards sex work became more stringent. Dr. Jaenega and Lewis explore how increasing religiosity led to heightened scrutiny and eventual crackdowns on brothels. "There's an increasing religiosity of town government towards the end of the Middle Ages... moral compromise just becomes increasingly difficult to uphold," Jaenega observes ([47:15]).

8. Regional Variations Across Europe

The episode touches on regional differences, noting that while German and Italian cities had structured brothel systems, England largely lacked a widespread municipal brothel movement. Lewis speculates that the centralized royal authority in England may have influenced these discrepancies. "Highly independent cities on the continent had more power to make their own policies," he suggests ([47:41]).

9. Stigmatization and Gender Perceptions

Dr. Jaenega and Lewis discuss how societal perceptions of women evolved, leading to increased stigmatization of sex workers. Women were often derogatorily labeled as "whore" or "panderers," restricting their societal roles and freedoms. This stigmatization was exacerbated by legal crackdowns, making it increasingly difficult for women to navigate public spaces without facing suspicion ([55:10]).

10. Conclusion: Lessons from the Past

In wrapping up, Lewis underscores the importance of understanding the multifaceted nature of medieval sex work. While certain cases, like that of Els von Eichstedt, highlight extreme exploitation, broader records indicate a spectrum of experiences ranging from survival to more regulated engagements. "You need to be careful and mindful of context when you do that kind of history," Lewis advises ([58:43]).

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Eleanor Jaenega ([05:00]): "The figure of the sex worker is one of those classic medieval tropes that comes up time and time again."
• Matt Lewis ([07:00]): "When cities themselves are growing from about the 12th century onwards... brothels became municipal employees."
• Matt Lewis ([22:43]): "There's a fantasy aspect... they've got to be appealing."
• Matt Lewis ([12:39]): "You can't go at it directly... you need to go through another avenue."
• Matt Lewis ([32:54]): "She was branded probably on the cheeks and then banished across the Rhine."
• Matt Lewis ([38:52]): "Everything they own is confiscated... they're never going to make enough money."
• Dr. Eleanor Jaenega ([47:15]): "There's an increasing religiosity of town government towards the end of the Middle Ages... moral compromise just becomes increasingly difficult to uphold."
• Matt Lewis ([47:41]): "Highly independent cities on the continent had more power to make their own policies."
• Matt Lewis ([55:10]): "You need to be careful and mindful of context when you do that kind of history."
• Matt Lewis ([58:43]): "You need to be careful and mindful of context when you do that kind of history."

Final Thoughts

"Gone Medieval" effectively sheds light on the hidden narratives of medieval sex workers, emphasizing the importance of empirical research and critical analysis in uncovering the nuanced lives of marginalized individuals. By examining legal records and specific case studies, Matt Lewis and Dr. Jaenega paint a vivid picture of the socio-economic and religious factors that shaped the experiences of sex workers in medieval Europe.

For listeners interested in exploring more about medieval sex work, past episodes featuring experts like Kate Lister offer additional insights into related topics.