A Woman to Know: Elizabeth Cresswell
Elizabeth Cresswell living in Bartholomew Close was found with divers Gentlemen and Women in her House at divers times. — John Marshall
Elizabeth Cresswell living in Bartholomew Close was found with divers Gentlemen and Women in her House at divers times. — John Marshall
(image via National Portrait Gallery)
Historians don’t know much of Elizabeth’s early life, but by 1658, contemporaries reported her as a woman “without rival in her wickedness.” The “wickedness” refers to her (very successful) business; by the time King Charles II took the throne, Elizabeth was running one of London’s most popular whorehouses. She gradually grew her brothel empire, opening more and more bordellos across England. Rumormongers claimed King Charles II’s own mistress, Lady Castlemaine, had ties to one of Elizabeth’s businesses. Other high-ranking noblemen frequented her London headquarters and Elizabeth relied on their influence and protection.
By 1668, political rivals had begun to resent the King Charles II’s relationship with “wicked women” like Elizabeth, and a wave of rioters attacked brothels throughout London. Elizabeth partnered with other businesswomen to send a “Poor Whores Petition” to Lady Castlemaine, begging for her to advocate on their behalf.
But the plan backfired; Lady Castlemaine, horrified at the suggestion of her own working history, refused to help. The local media vilified Elizabeth’s folly and rioters continued attacking her brothels. In 1681, many of her former employees took the stand to testify to Elizabeth’s “thirty years of bawdry.” Once convicted, Elizabeth spent her remaining years in Bridewell, a horrific prison “for wayward women,” and she died there some time in 1698.
As legend has it, Elizabeth left a 10-pound note in her will, set aside for a proper burial and some nice remarks that mentioned nothing of her scandalous past. The clergyman who accepted the money reportedly sermonized at length about sexual morality, then finished his speech with two now-notorious sentences:
By the will of the deceased it is expected that I should mention her and say nothing but what was well of her. All I shall say of her, therefore, is this — she was born well, lived well, and died well; for she was born with the name of Cresswell, lived at Clerkenwell and died in Bridewell.
Add to your reading list:
Read more:
Inés de Castro (Britannica)
Portugal’s Only Posthumous Queen (Google Arts & Culture)
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