Covent Garden Capers
I've spent a wonderful afternoon writing and researching my latest Regency mystery. Set in Covent Garden in 1810, I found myself exploring more and more websites which detailed the long - and notorious - history of London's modern-day theatrical district. Back in the Regency era, Covent Garden had already established itself as the biggest market for 'fruit, flowers, roots and herbs' in Britain. It also had more prostitutes per square foot than any other part of the capital. The Grand Piazza, originally designed by Inigo Jones back in the 17th century to mimic the great neo-classical piazza's of Europe, was nicknamed: 'The great square of Venus.'
One contemporary observer declared: 'One would imagine that all the prostitutes in the Kingdom had pitched upon this blessed neighbourhood for a place of general rendezvous. For here are lewd women in sufficient numbers to people a mighty colony. And that a fuel for the natural flame may not be wanting, here is a great variety of open houses whose principal employment is to minister incitements to lust.'
I just hope that Detective Stephen Lavender can keep his mind on the case in this novel!
One contemporary observer declared: 'One would imagine that all the prostitutes in the Kingdom had pitched upon this blessed neighbourhood for a place of general rendezvous. For here are lewd women in sufficient numbers to people a mighty colony. And that a fuel for the natural flame may not be wanting, here is a great variety of open houses whose principal employment is to minister incitements to lust.'
I just hope that Detective Stephen Lavender can keep his mind on the case in this novel!
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