Knowne World Courtesans

Photo
The exterior of the Knowne World Courtesans' Pennsic Bacchanal.
Information
Founded: Status: Active
Heraldry
The badge of the Knowne World Courtesans, jointly registered to Ginevra Fiammetta di Silvestri and Magdalena la Sanguigni. “Gules, a hart trippant and a bordure Or.”

The Knowne World Courtesans are a free confederation of people dedicated to promoting courtesan/sex worker personas in the SCA, along with the study of historical gender and sexuality topics. Members who portray sex workers from before 1600 attempt to recreate their clothing, arts, and charms. They may perform, create art, host parties and gatherings, teach classes on historical sexuality topics, and assist with service during events.

The Knowne World Courtesans have members in every Kingdom in the SCA.

Badge and other symbols

The badge of the Knowne World Courtesans is jointly registered to Ginevra Fiammetta di Silvestri and Magdalena la Sanguigni. The blazon is “Gules, a hart trippant and a bordure Or.” The badge, with its “Hart of Gold,” is a pun, based on the expression “hooker with a heart of gold.”

Members of the Knowne World Courtesans may also wear red veils or similar headwear. This is a nod to historical sumptuary laws requiring sex workers to wear visible markers of their profession, one of the more common symbols being a veil of a particular color or pattern. Red was chosen for its common historical association with sumptuary laws for many sex workers throughout the SCA time period and locations.

Members are not required to wear or display the Hart of Gold nor a red veil, they are only options for visually displaying association with the group.

Goals

• To promote and support sex worker personas in the SCA.
• To encourage the study of the history of sex work and historical sexuality.
• To create a community that is a safe space for everyone.
• To promote sex education; to promote healthy perspectives on sexuality and consent; and to combat sex negative and whorephobic views.
• To create an atmosphere of luxury and opulence at events.
• To sponsor gatherings that are both fun and informative.
• To help make the SCA more pleasurable for everyone by providing hospitality and a welcoming place to relax and enjoy events.

Members

• Esa inghean Donnchaidh
• Ginevra Fiammetta di Silvestri
• Héloise de Bruyères
• Magdalena la Sanguigni
• Yenyega Velasconi de Santurci

Patrons

A patron is someone who supports a courtesan or courtesans, through companionship, gifts, or by support for their projects, parties, and/or other endeavors.

Tullians

The Knowne World Courtesans' Tullia Society is comprised of people who are adjacent to the Knowne World Courtesans and serve a variety of functions, such as escorts, assistants, and facilitators of the day-to-day functioning of the KWC. Members may be referred to as cavaliers or Tullians. The group takes its name from the original Tullia Society, which was a group created by Emilio Orsini, a patron of the 16th century courtesan Tullia d’Aragona, of six cavaliers to fight for her honor.

External Links

The Knowne World Courtesans Official Website
The Knowne World Courtesans Facebook Page
The Knowne World Courtesans- Study and Support Facebook Group