Officially sanctioned brothels (or 'stews') exist in places such as Sandwich in Kent, Southwark across the Thames from the City of London and the aptly named Cock Lane at Smithfield in London.
In Southwark, prostitutes are referred to as 'Winchester geese' because the brothels are situated in the London see of the bishop of Winchester, who collects rents from them. The rules state that the stewholders must be men, that the women must stay with a client all night in order to avoid 'night-walking', and that they must not lodge at the brothel. Illegal stews also exist, often run by women.
In 1384, the Common Council of London states that any prostitute found guilty of living outside the designated area of Cock Lane will be taken from prison in a striped hood, carrying a white wand, and accompanied by minstrels to a pillory at Aldgate, where her offence will be publicly proclaimed. Then she will be escorted back through the city to Cock Lane.
Men found guilty of procuring a prostitute are given an unfortunate haircut, have their beards shaved off and are made to stand in a pillory until the mayor says they can go home.
I am pleased to say that I have never frequented such places, well not yet anyway!
