The Buried History of the Winchester Geese - Part One

11/25/20 • 25 min

Did you know that from the 12th to 17th century Southwark in London was controlled by the Bishop of Winchester? Among other powers, the Bishop had the right to license and tax the borough’s prostitutes, they became known as the ‘Winchester Geese’.
Lucy Coleman Talbot sheds light on the Bishops' involvement, as well as the suffering endured by medieval sex workers and how we know their story from a graveyard.
For more information, including show notes and a transcription, please visit our website https://www.winchesterheritageopendays.org/hampshire-histbites-episodes

Previous Episode

Crude Carvings: Graffiti in the Winchester Cathedral

When most people see someone’s initials scratched into the wall of the cathedral, the carvings are dismissed as graffiti and vandalism. However, those letters tell a story about the Winchester Cathedral in centuries past and the people that walked under its vaulted ceilings. Is it history, vandalism, or both? Dr. Cindy Wood explores the controversial topic.
For more information, including a transcript and further information, go to out website: https://www.winchesterheritageopendays.org/introduction-histbites

Next Episode

The Buried History of the Winchester Geese - Part Two

How do we remember the struggle of medieval sex workers? Lucy Coleman Talbot explains how the Winchester Cathedral keeps the memory of the Winchester Geese alive.

Also discussed is the history of Crossbones Graveyard throughout the years and its link between modern and medieval sex work. The modern social issues around sex work have existed for centuries, discover how we can remember the Geese for a brighter future.
For more information, including who the Winchester Geese were, details of the first podcast please visit our website: https://www.winchesterheritageopendays.org/hampshire-histbites-episodes. You can also on our website read the full show notes and download a written transcript of this podcast