Escorting in History: Life of a Courtesan

Although escorts receive a lot of bad rep in today’s day and age, we look back to the escorts of the past with nostalgia, as if there is any difference between the two. However, today’s companion is in many ways exactly the same as the ladies of the past known under the title of “courtesan”.

This term on the other hand evokes a series of decadent, yet noble visuals: giant beds covered in satin and velvet, lace and dim candle light – the whole scene inside of a castle, which in many ways was a world of its own, with its own morality and rules. This is why perhaps we view the courtesan with wondrous eyes instead of judgmental ones. She lived within a world so different from our own that it becomes easy for larger society to accept her existence. However, society hasn’t always treated her this kindly.

The term “courtesan” appeared around the year 1540, and literally referred to a “woman of the court”. She was the paramour of the noble and wealthy men at court; she was charming and educated – by all means the equivalent of Japan’s Geisha. The courtesan was regularly kept by one man in particular, who clothed her and gave her jewellery, but would provide companionship to several others. Sometimes, she would even company them to a social function if the wife was for any reason unavailable.  

By the turn of the 18^th century, courtesans became a common occurrence in high-class society and were, in many ways, accepted. Before that, however, they might have been accused of witchcraft if somebody wanted to remove them from court. The competition between each courtesan was also fierce and many would resort to back-stabbing each other in order to get ahead.  

Many such ladies would begin their career by assisting another courtesan, learning the ropes from her and then moving on. Becoming a companion gave these women immense freedom. They made outstanding sums of money and were free to make their own decisions. They did not have to rely on a husband, and if their clients made too many demands, they would simply remove them from their agenda.

Overall, today’s escort is very similar to the courtesan. Companions make their own schedule, pick their clients, and enjoy a sense of freedom that is uncommon even nowadays for many women. 

(Pictured above is Melissa, age 20, from Prague, the Czech Republic)