Philobiblon

At Bartholomew’s Fair in London “many a handsome wench exchanges her maidenhead for a small favour, such as a moiety of bone lace, a slight silver bodkin, a hoopt-ring, or the like toye; for she comes not thither with her sweet-heart, to serve her owne turne only, but also to satisfy her desire…”

(An anonymous quote in – Dianne Payne “Smithfield’s Bartholomew Fair” The Historian, No 109, Spring 2011, pp. 12-16 – yes I’d really like that reference to have more information, but from the context I’d guess 18th century! The article is, however, beautifully illustrated.)