Holland's Leaguer (brothel)

Holland's Leaguer was the name of a Dutch English brothel in London between 1603 and January 1632. It has been referred to as the most famed brothel in 17th-century England. "Legeur" means military encampment.

It was an expensive establishment with King James I of England and George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, among its clients. The brothel was owned and managed by Elizabeth "Bess" Holland. She may have been married to one of the Holland family, notorious figures in the Elizabethan underworld. Popular rumour linked the house specifically with Dutch prostitutes. The brothel modelled itself on the Schoen Majken (The Lovely Little Maiden) in Brussels. It provided luxurious surroundings, good food, clean linen and 'modern' plumbing.

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