Tessa Storey Books

Exploring the period from 1566 to 1656, this study delves into the lives of ordinary prostitutes and their clients in post-Counter-Reformation Rome. Utilizing diverse archival sources, it uncovers the reasons behind women's entry into prostitution, their relationships with clients, and the economic aspects of their lives. Notarial documents reveal insights into their earnings and lifestyles, challenging the notion that Counter-Reformation reforms successfully curtailed prostitution, which persisted as a profitable venture for many women despite efforts at social control.

This study of barbers-surgeons and other artisans involved in the care and appearance of the body - jewellers, tailors, wigmakers, upholsterers - sheds light on the strong sociocultural affinities that existed in the Early Modern period between these apparently unrelated trades, challenging the divide between medical and non-medical occupations. -- .