Libertines and Harlots

Book excerpt: One of the clubs explored in this book is The Calf’s Head Club who celebrated the death of Charles I every year on the 30th January. A book of this nature would also be incomplete without the Earl of Rochester, the Duke of Wharton, Sir Francis Dashwood and Charles II who loved nothing more than a leg of mutton and a whore. In the 18th century the notorious members of the Hell Fire Clubs, the Knights of St. Francis and the Demoniac Club all fornicated around Scotland, England and Ireland. However, out of all the clubs in the 18th century that were in and out of vogue the Beggar’s Benison in the kingdom of Fife had to be the strangest. Their initiation ritual was rather bizarre and for most people unthinkable, to say the least. Norman was born in Edinburgh on the 21st July 1961. At sixteen Norman went into the sheet-metal working industry. He has also worked as a registered silversmith with Edinburgh Assay Office, been bouncer, a tour guide and has lectured on Scottish history. In 2001 he decided to accomplish something more arduous. He studied part time at the Open University for two years then at Edinburgh Napier University full time for four years. Norman’s academic achievements are a certificate in social science, an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) and an MSc in (Business Management). Both degrees inspired Norman to write his first book Scottish Culture and Traditions which was published in 2010 (ISBN 978-1-899820-79-5). His other interests are the restoration of classic motorbikes, cooking, history, and trying to play the violin. He is currently a 5th Dan in Shotokan Karate and has taught adults and children for nearly thirty years.