Bordeˊllo

at first was used to signify any small Cottage, some of which being made common Ale-houses, and Bawdy-houses, and Harbours for Strumpets; by Transportation was made Brothel from Bordel, and used to signify a Stew or Bawdy-house. On the South Bank of the River of Thames, westwards of the Bridge, and next to the Bear-garden, was sometimes the Bordello or Stews, a Place so called of certain Stews or Houses privileged there for incontinent Men to repair to incontinent Women, for which Privilege there was an Act of Parliament made in the Reign of King Henry II. in which these were some of the Orders: That no Stew-holder or his Wife should hinder any single Woman from going and coming freely at all Times when they list; nor to keep any Woman at Board; but that she should board abroad at her Pleasure: That they should take no more for the Woman’s Chamber than 14 Pence a Week. That they should not keep open their Doors on holy Days. That no single Woman should be kept against her Will. That they should not receive any Woman of Religion, nor any Man’s Wife. That no single Woman take Money to lie with any, but she may lie with him all Night till the morrow. That no Stew-holder keep any Woman that hath the perilous Infirmity of Burning; nor sell Bread, Ale, Flesh, Fish, Wood, Coal, or any Victuals, &c. These Stew-houses were permitted in the Time of King Henry VI. but were inhibited in the Reign of King Henry VII. and the Doors shut up; but set open again; but were put down in the Time of King Henry VIII. in the Year 1546.