Prostitutes Winchester

The Vigil for the Winchester Geese

The UK vigil is part of an ongoing struggle to establish a memorial for the “Winchester Geese,” the medieval prostitutes licensed by the Bishop of Winchester. On 28-Aug-2020, campaigners gathered to honour these women buried in unconsecrated ground at Crossbones Graveyard in Southwark. This site, now saved from development, is set to become a memorial garden.

Bishop’s Brothel Empire

The term “Winchester Geese” referred to the sex workers who proliferated around Winchester Palace on London’s Southbank. The brothels, known as stewhouses, operated under the Bishop’s authority, making him a significant profiteer from the trade. Despite paying license fees, these women were denied Christian burial and faced harsh societal stigma.

Medieval Exploitation System

Historically, the Bishop of Winchester, notably Henry of Blois in 1161, was England’s largest brothel owner. His licensed prostitutes were cruelly nicknamed “Winchester Geese,” and venereal diseases were mockingly called “goose bumps.” The medieval attitude towards prostitution was complex; while the Church condemned it, bishops like Winchester grew rich from rents, fines, and shares of brothel profits.

Crossbones Graveyard Legacy

Crossbones Graveyard, estimated to hold 15,000 paupers and sex workers, originated as an unconsecrated burial ground specifically for these marginalized women. Memorials now mark the site, acknowledging its tragic history. Vigils and campaigns, like the one in August 2020, continue to push for formal recognition and a fitting memorial for the Winchester Geese, highlighting their exploitation and forgotten lives.

*TAGS* – Stewhouses licensing, Goose bumps term, Unconsecrated burial stigma