[MR] Courtesans of Atlantia

[David Chessler]

Do we in Atlantia distinguish between "courtesan" and "courtier"? It would
appear that the possibly "derogatory" arose only at the end of our period. A
"cortigiana onesta" would appear to command more respect than a "courtier" of
the second definition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtesan

A courtesan was originally a woman courtier, which means a person who attends
the court of a monarch or other powerful person.[1] In feudal society, the
court was the centre of government as well as the residence of the monarch,
and social and political life were often completely mixed together. In
Renaissance Europe, courtiers played an extremely important role in
upper-class society. As it was customary during this time for royal couples to
lead separate lives—commonly marrying simply to preserve bloodlines and to
secure political alliances—men and women would often seek gratification and
companionship from people living at court. In fact, the verb "to court"
originally meant "to be or reside at court", and later came to mean "to behave
as a courtier" and then "to pay amorous attention to somebody".[2] The most
intimate companion of a ruler was called the favourite.

As a result, in Renaissance usage, the Italian word "cortigiana", feminine of
"cortigiano" (courtier) came to refer to "the ruler's mistress", and then to a
well-educated and independent woman of free morals, eventually a trained
artisan of dance and singing, especially one associated with wealthy,
powerful, or upper-class men who provided luxuries and status in exchange for
companionship.[3] The word was borrowed by English from Italian through the
French form "courtisane" during the 16th century, especially associated to the
meaning of "court-mistress" and "prostitute".[1]

A male figure comparable to the courtesan was the Italian cicisbeo, the French
chevalier servant, the Spanish cortejo or estrecho. It actually seems that the
figure of the chevalier servant (French, lit. serving cavalier, lady's escort)
of a married lady was quite common in Europe up to the 18th century.[4]

Essentially, there were two types of courtesan. In one category was a type of
courtesan known (in Italy) as the cortigiana onesta, or the honest courtesan,
who was cast as an intellectual. In the other was the cortigiana di lume, a
lower class of courtesan. Although the latter was still considered better than
an average prostitute, the former was the sort most often romanticized and
treated more-or-less equal to women of the nobility. It is with this type of
courtesan that the art of "courtisanerie" is best associated.

American Heritage Dictionary:  court·i·er   (kôr'tē-ər, -tyər, kōr'-)
pronunciation
n.
   1. An attendant at a sovereign's court.
   2. One who seeks favor, especially by insincere flattery or obsequious
behavior.

[Middle English courteour, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French cortoier, to be
at a royal court, from cort, court. See court.]

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/courtier#ixzz1BOhtJXp2

------ Original Message ------
Received: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 01:59:34 AM EST
From: "Logan" <Logan at ebonwoulfe.com>
To: "'Henna by Helen'" <hennabyhelen at mail.com>,
<Atlantia at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org>
Subject: Re: [MR] Courtesans of Atlantia

> by which definition do you mean?  the term courtesan has several meanings
> dependent upon the time period by which it is used.  if you mean someone in
> training to "act as a lady/lord of the court" i would suggest that all
> squires should, hopefully, fit that bill.  the same would go for companions
> to a lady of the rose.  so, to, would be any apprentice or protégé of
their
> respective peers.   now if you mean the equally as common role of flirts
and
> those whom engage in the role of a mistress that is another issue.  sure,
> some folks find "flirting" to be acceptable.  and there is, in my opinion
> unfortunately, a fair bit of that occurring in the sca and most other
social
> groups.  given how the term itself comes with two very different meanings i
> would ask that you be more specific about your goal so as to avoid any
> confusion or, possibly, mislabeling of those that may take on the moniker.
> 
> regards
> logan
> 
> "I never did give them hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it was
> hell." 
> Harry S Truman 
> "If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his
> vengeance need not be feared"
> Niccolo Machiavelli
> For your SCA combat needs please visit:
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> 
> www.ebonwoulfe.com
> 
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> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: atlantia-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
> [mailto:atlantia-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Henna by
> Helen
> Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 12:33 AM
> To: Atlantia at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
> Subject: [MR] Courtesans of Atlantia
> 
> Good day, Lords and Ladies:
> 
> I'm curious as to whether or not there may be other courtesans within the
> Kingdom of Atlantia?  I've been encouraged by several (many thanks for your
> support and encouragement) to reach out to the Kingdom to discuss the
> possibility of gathering a group of women who are not only skilled in the
> arts and sciences familiar to these ladies of the late medieval times, but
> who happily personify the intelligence, beauty and knowledge they did.  If
> so, please take a moment to contact me off list.  I'm familiar with a guild
> in the West Kingdom that has quite a following and would love to know if
> others in this Kingdom would be interested in following suit?
> 
> With much thanks and in service,
> Cassandra
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