Vulgar History: Revolution The Sex Lives of Regency England
Jul 2, 2025
Join Alexandra Vasti, an author of Regency romance and literature educator, as she dives into the tantalizing world of Regency England's sexuality. Discover how young women learned about sex before marriage and the surprising knowledge surrounding contraception. Vasti discusses the real stories behind LGBTQ+ figures like Ann Lister and critiques the accuracy of the popular show Bridgerton in its depiction of these historical themes. Prepare for an engaging exploration of sex education, societal norms, and the enduring myths of virginity!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Regency Women Knew Sex Facts
- Regency era women were generally knowledgeable about sex and its consequences, contrary to popular fictional portrayals.
- Awareness of sex and pregnancy was common, making the "ignorant virgin" trope inaccurate historically.
Modern Confusion Matches Past's
- A pregnant teenager once thought babies were born from the belly button, illustrating confusion similar to some past peoples' lack of sex knowledge.
- This anecdote highlights that ignorance about reproduction happens across eras and is not unique to history.
Erotic Texts Also Educated
- Erotic and educational texts blurred the line between titillation and sex education in the 18th century.
- Such works often framed sexual knowledge as conversation or learning, mixing instruction with arousal.
