Prostitutes Winchester

In medieval Winchester, prostitution was a regulated, albeit morally condemned, part of urban life. Women working in this trade, often referred to in official records as ‘common women’, were typically confined to specific areas of the city. The primary location for such activity was near the city walls, particularly in the suburb of Tanner Street and the vicinity of the River Itchen.

Regulation and the “Stews”

The city authorities sought to control prostitution through licensing. Brothels, known locally as “stews,” were officially sanctioned and operated under specific regulations. These establishments were often owned by prominent citizens or even ecclesiastical landlords who profited from the rents. Regulations dictated opening hours, forbade the harbouring of married women or nuns, and sometimes required distinctive clothing for the women.

Societal Attitudes and Decline

Despite being a tolerated reality, prostitution in Winchester was viewed with deep suspicion by the church and moral reformers. Preachers frequently denounced the “stews,” associating them with sin and disease. By the late 16th century, influenced by religious reform and concerns about public order and syphilis, the official tolerance waned. The licensed stews were gradually suppressed, and prostitutes faced increasing persecution, leading to the trade becoming more clandestine.

*TAGS* – medieval prostitution laws, Winchester stews, licensed brothels history, common women Winchester, Tanner Street history