  Romance/Love
This week: Courtesans Edited by: StephBee  
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The courtesan was a woman who embodied beauty. She was expected to be a well-educated woman, free of morals, an excellent dancer, witty, charming, and possessing common sense. She offered companionship and physical pleasure to her benefactor with no strings attached. She embodied romance without the trappings of love, yet many courtesans throughout the ages held the heart of their benefactor. This newsletter takes a look at courtesans and the roles they played in love throughout the ages. |
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Prior to the Renaissance, the courtesan did not have such a romantic reputation. The word had very simple origins – a woman who attends the court of a monarch. In the feudal society, the court of the monarch mixed the political and social life of the monarch and government. It was a courtesan's job to deliver information to visiting dignitaries.
During renaissance Europe, royal couples began leading separate lives. They married to secure bloodlines and for political gain – rarely did the couple love each other. The courtesan, with their easy wit, common sense, and companionship skills, offered something the "other" woman did not – genuine concern and care which often led to love.
EXPECTATIONS
It was often expected the courtesan would offer their benefactor sex. Courtesans might come from wealthy or non-wealthy backgrounds. They might be married even. In those cases, their husbands usually knew of the arrangements and approved; money being the mitigating factor involved. For many women, they saw their life as a courtesan as a job, and it was primarily expected of them that they would be the consummate companion.
Truly, the courtesan could be the force behind the man. Many lasted for as long as they proved witty and charming companions and good in bed. They've been romanticized throughout the years with much literature being written about them. What makes the courtesan a romantic historical figure is something we can all identify with – love. After all, it's very easy to fall in love with a warm hearted companion who is witty and charming, well educated, and talented in the finer arts.
One such story which I found interesting is that of Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. (That's a mouthful.) He built Altenau Palace in 1606 as a token of love for his favored courtesan. Salome Alt bore him fifteen children. Sadly, in 1612, he was forced to abdicate. Altenau Palace was renamed Mirabell Gardens. The Mirabell Garden and its beauty were prominently featured in the movie "The Sound of Music."
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Feedback from my 23 JUL 2014 Newsletter:
vada
Enjoyed your newsletter, Steph. "Our" song is Meet in the Middle, a country song that came out during a troubled time in our marriage and helped us through it. I sometimes listen while writing and try to pick songs for mood of the story. There is nothing better than a sad, country song to inspire my writing.
Thank you for sharing. 
Quick-Quill 
Music isn't my go to when I'm writing. I love music sung by Berry White, Marvin Gaye and Michael Bolton. I do like Bryan Adams. That soulful sexy song will have me singing and swaying to the music. When I clean house its Gaither Homecoming CD's. I know "what a switch", but I love to sing and I know almost every hymn they sing and it makes the day go by faster.
I like listening to Bryan Adams, too.
Dandelion Man 
In answer to your questions, yes I do sometimes listen to specific music when I write. I wrote a novel set in the sixties and seventies and while I was working on it I was listening to the music of the era. I incorporated some of it into my stories. The song I selected for the hero/heroine was "My Girl" by the Temptations. The story was set in Detroit so It was appropriate to select a MoTown song.
It sounds like the music helped inspire the words for your story.
StephBee is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. Her latest release is "A Lady Never Lies," book 3 in her Windsor Diaries steampunk series.4.5 Stars, Clue Review, This is a fun series! The author has a huge imagination. |
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Romance/Love: August 20, 2014 Issue [#6494]
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