Jane Shore (c.1445 – c.1527) was the mistress of Edward IV during the last decade of his life. She was born in London as a part of the merchant class, the daughter of John and Amy Lambert. Her father was a successful business man, and Jane spent many days...
Veronica Franco (1546-1591) was a poet and courtesan in sixteenth century Venice. There were two types of courtesans during this period: the upper class, intellectual cortigiana onesta, and cortigiana di lume, the lower class courtesans. Veronica was one...
Madame du Barry, or Jeanne Becu (19 August 1743 – 8 December 1793), was the last chief mistress (or maitresse-en-titre) of Louis XV of France. At the high point of her career she was one of the most influential women in France. Although her origins do not...
Harriette Wilson (22 February 1786 Р10 March 1845) was a Regency courtesan. She had many high profile clients including the Prince of Wales; Arthur Wellsley, 1st Duke of Wellington; Lord Melbourne’s son the honourable Frederick Lamb; and the...
Alice Perrers (c. 1348-1400) was the mistress of the English King, Edward III. Even compared to the negative press mistresses got during this period, Alice was particularly despised. Little is known about Alice’s early life, although it is known...
