Netflix series Bridgerton made a return to its X-rated roots this week with the premiere of the second half of season three – which treated viewers to a raunchy six-minute romp between actors Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton.
So saucy was the sex scene that lead actress Nicola, who plays the part of Penelope Featherington, revealed that the duo actually broke the chaise lounge on which they filmed it.
Having promised viewers the ‘steamiest season yet’, Netflix certainly had its work cut out for it in order to top the infamously-X-rated first season romance between Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page.
Needless to say, Bridgerton has crafted quite the salacious and extravagant image of Regency-era high society – but just how close to historical fact are these scenes of sex and scandal?
A historian is now revealing the truth about sex in the Regency era – as Bridgerton returns to screens with a salacious six-minute sex scene
The second half of season three of the hit series premiered on Thursday – complete with a fully nude romp between actors Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton
TikTok star and historian Esmé Louise James is now answering that question by laying bare the truth about sex during that period, lifting the lid on everything from contraception to lingerie.
And far from the picture-perfect Regency romps portrayed in Bridgerton, the reality was, according to Esmé, far less aesthetic, although perhaps even more sexually explicit.
In fact, she says this time was renowned for its widespread sexual activity, experimentation, and even risky romps that led to a rampant increase in sexually-transmitted infections which were oftentimes life-threatening.
Here, Esmé peels back the velvet curtain to offer a very candid look at Regency-era sex.
People weren’t ignorant about sex
While the Featherington sisters may have been shocked to learn a man must ‘insert himself’ for a baby to be produced, most Regency women would not have been so ignorant about the birds and the bees.
Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan hold hands on the red carpet this week
The Featherington sisters seem to be more naive than most Regency women would have been
Publications such as the Aristotle’s Masterpiece (originally published 1684), were incredibly popular reads, providing the public with a literary form of sex education.
This book provided everything from explicit descriptions of the human reproductive process to advice on sexual positions believed to enhance fertility – all with detailed illustrations to match.
Most importantly, the work was also intentionally arousing – educating it’s reader, while also providing them with a socially acceptable way to indulge sexual desires.
While girls from high-ranking families were often sheltered from scandalous conversations to protect their purity, even they were often given visual pornography to help prepare them for their wedding night.
They LOVED smutty novels
Just like we enjoy reading Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series today, people from that period also liked their reads spicy.
Though it often circulated clandestinely, erotic literature was prolific. Works, such as John Cleland’s Fanny Hill (1749) depicted a range of sensual fantasies – such as flagellation, lesbian love affairs, orgies, and more! In fact, some of these novels were so saucy, they were described as books only to be read with one hand.
Aristotle’s Masterpiece (originally published 1684) provided the public with a literary form of sex education
Works, such as John Cleland’s Fanny Hill depicted a range of sensual fantasies
Women wouldn’t have worn any underwear
The most surprising omission from the Regency woman’s wardrobe is the lack of drawers or knickers.
Women would have been free ballin’ at the ball (which explains why Colin had such ease of access on that notorious carriage ride).
The ‘bloomer’ would not be invented until the mid-19th century. Before this time, women wore chemises and petticoats to protect both their modesty and their outer garment.
That’s not to say that the fashion of the time was completely conservative. On the contrary, fashion played a significant role in the sexual dynamics of the Regency period.
The most surprising omission from the Regency woman’s wardrobe is the lack of drawers or knickers – which explains that carriage scene
The empire waistline, popularized by Josephine Bonaparte, emphasized a woman’s bosom, often leaving little to the imagination. Low necklines and the use of light, often sheer fabrics made the Regency gown both a symbol of innocence and seduction.
Accessories like shawls, gloves, and fans were also used to communicate unspoken desires and flirtations.
Brothels were everywhere
Brothels and other forms of sex work were prolific across England during this time, infamously referred to as ‘the great social evil’.
Brothels which catered to higher members of society were generally run by women to the west of London, whereas the bawdy-houses of the East End tended to be run by men.
By the mid-18th century, it was estimated 50 percent of London’s brothels were operated by women, according to historian Randolph Trumbach.
Brothels were common – as depicted in frequent scenes from Bridgerton
Esme has been on the Bridgerton set, discussing her expertise with the cast
Brothel madams were generally considered to be more tactful when it came to dealings with clients; frequenting these establishments was something that Lords (and, in some rare cases, Ladies) would regularly do, yet not something that should be spoken of in polite society.
STIs were rampant
As may well be expected, the popularity of these establishments and the spread of syphilis were not entirely unconnected.
Sexually transmitted infections were rife within this period in London. Historians Simon Szreter and Kevin Siena have estimated that 1 in 5 Londoners would have had syphilis by the age of 35 – and the number who contracted gonorrhea or chlamydia was far higher.
There was no effective cure found for syphilis until the beginning of the 20th century, meaning that if you happened to fall within the unlucky 20 per cent, there was generally no hope of recovery.
With no effective treatment available for the pox, those afflicted were often prescribed mercury as a treatment (which, thanks to the privileges of science, we know to be just as detrimental as untreated syphilis – if not more so).
The popularity of brothels and the spread of syphilis were not entirely unconnected
‘Condoms designed for gentlemen’ were made ‘of sheep’s or goat’s gut, pickled, scented, and eight inches long
Brothels and other forms of sex work were prolific across England during this time, referred to as ‘the great social evil’
This led to the popular saying: ‘A night with Venus, and a lifetime with mercury.’
Even back then it was preached that prevention is better than cure.
Contraception
It wasn’t only a cure for STIs that was lacking but also preventative methods.
While condoms did exist, they were not anywhere near as widely accessible, encouraged or effective as they are in many countries today.
One of the major proprietors of condoms within Regency London (particularly for sex workers) was Mrs Phillips, who held a shop in Covent Garden.
These ‘condoms designed for gentlemen’ were (I encourage you to hold your stomach) made ‘of sheep’s or goat’s gut, pickled, scented, eight inches long, delicately fashioned on glass molds by the hands of the proprietress’.
While certainly better than nothing, the material from which these condoms were made meant they were prone to breaking (and certainly not the sexiest addition to one’s licentious affairs).
Condoms made of these ingredients had become quite widely available during 18th century, sold from bars and chemists, theaters and market shops. However, they were only readily available to the middle and upper classes.
What made Mrs Phillips particularly notable is that she primarily catered to female sex workers, servicing the market for which no one else was accounting.
Kinky History: A Rollicking Journey through Our Sexual Past, Present, and Future, by Esmé Louise James is published by TarcherPerigee