However, we find they still continued in good Repute in the Reign of _Henry_ VIII.[10] and yielded a considerable Revenue to the _Bishop_ of _London_; for _Bucer_, in one of his Books against _Gardiner_, taxes him with it as _an heinous Crime, that he should receive most of his Rents out of the Public Stews_.
[10] In the latter end of _March_ (Anno Reg. _Hen._ VIII. 36) “the _Stewes_ on the Bank-side of the _Thames_, in _Southwark_, was put down, by the King’s Commandment, which was proclaimed by sound of Trumpets, no more to be privileged, or used as a common Bordell, but the Inhabitants of those Houses, to keep good and honest Rule, as in all other Places of the Realm. STOW’s Chron. p. 591.
After this terrible Accusation, we may easily guess what Quarter our _Stews_ met with at the Reformation. But now _Bucer_ has got his Ends; the _Stews_ are destroy’d; those public Nusances are demolish’d; Whoring is attack’d on all hands without Mercy; and what then? Why, truly, by mere Dint of _Reforming_, we have reduced Lewdness to that pass, that hardly one Bachelor in the Kingdom will lie with a Woman, if he is sure that she’s not found; and very few modest Women will suffer a Man to get them with Child, unless he makes a Promise to marry.
In short, the Truth is, we are at this present Writing as _bad_ as we can be; and I hope I have fairly shown how we may be _better_.
_RICHARD RAWLINSON_, L. L. D. and R. S. S. in his Account of _Southwark_,[11] informs us, that next to the _Bear-Garden_ on the Bank-Side was formerly the BORDELLO, or STEWES, so called from several Licensed Houses for the Entertainment of Lewd Persons, in which were Women prepared for all Comers. They were subject to several Laws and Regulations, and their Manner of Life and Privileged Places, received several Confirmations from the Crown.
[11] See _Aubrey’s_ Natural History and Antiquities of _Surrey_, _8vo._ Vol. v. p. 221.
In 1162, King _Henry_ II, in a _Parliament_ held at _Westminster_, passed an Act, confirming several Ordinances, Statutes, and old Customs observed in that Place, amongst which the following are remarkable:
That no _Stew-Holder_ or his Wife, should lett or stay any single Woman to go and come freely at all Times when she listed.