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Molly house is a meeting place for people socialising and seeking pleasure with partners of the same sex. To ensure protection from the law, house managers paid part of their income to constables so that their establishments would not be raided.

Story[]

A Molly house that was a meeting place for James Delaney and Michael Godfrey after Delaney returned from Africa. After finding out that Godfrey was a clerk for the East India Company, Delaney forced Godfrey to spy on the Company for him in exchange for keeping their secret – crossdressing in a brothel. Wealthy members of London society were entertained by a group of performers presenting as women, both in theatrical interludes and in erotic games behind closed doors.[1]

When the East India Company blew James Delaney's ship in a clear declaration of war, James broke into one of the rooms of the molly house to attack Godfrey with a knife. Delaney held Godfrey responsible for not having warned him in time about the Company's plans.[2]

The Molly House was later used as a secret meeting place for Godfrey, Delaney and George Chichester. The three of them hatched a plan to frame Sir Stuart Strange about the sinking of the Cornwallis, a slave ship. When the King's guards arrested James Delaney at the Molly House, after he urged the courtesans to escape before the arrival of the soldiers.

Benjamin Wilton investigated the scene and found the connection with Michael Godfrey and, as a consequence, their homosexuality and alliance with James Delaney. Wilton immediately reported such findings to his superior.[3]

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Episode Appearances[]

Notes[]

  • Molly house was a term used in 18th and 19th century England for a meeting place for LGBTQ people, specifically for gay men.
  • As homosexual activities were considered criminal offences, molly houses offered both a safe haven and a great danger if patrons were found there by authorities. As a consequence, molly houses appeared in run-down urban centres.
  • Michael Godfrey frequented the brothel. However, they did not offer sexual services to the patrons.

References[]

  1. Knight, Steven (writer) & Nyholm, Kristoffer (director); January 21, 2017 BBC; January 24, 2017, FX; "Episode 3". Taboo.
  2. Hardy, Chips & Knight, Steven (writer) & Engström, Anders (director); February 11, 2017 BBC; February 14, 2017, FX; "Episode 6". Taboo.
  3. Knight, Steven (writer) & Engström, Anders (director); February 18, 2017 BBC; February 21, 2017, FX; "Episode 7". Taboo.
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