Harriet's House Appreciation || Prompt: Harriott Lewis

Harriet Lennox's character was inspired by Harriott Lewis, who was the first black bawd in London. She was born in Guinea and shipped to Jamaica as a slave, where she was purchased by a plantation owner named Captain William Lewis. Lewis sexually abused Harriott and fathered her two children. Lewis brought Harriott to London as his mistress in 1766, where she socialized with the English elite. While in London, Lewis died of smallpox, leaving Harriott penniless. Harriott was brought to the King’s Bench debtor’s prison. Her admirerers paid off her debts and she became a very highly paid sex worker after her release. She opened a brothel in St. James which allegedly employed only black women. Her clients were said to include 20 members of the House of Lords and 50 members of the House of Commons.

HARLOTS - 1x08

HARRIET'S HOUSE APPRECIATION WEEK: Oh, what's a house anyway? It's the people.

Rules and Prompts

Harriet's House Appreciation Week || Prompt: Words To Live By

Harriet's House Appreciation Week || Prompt: Identity

Harriet's identity arc is one of the most interesting character arcs in the Harlots series, and I wish it had been explored in more depth! She goes from being slave in America, to the "wife" of her master, to a sex worker, to a madam, and finally the end of Season 3, there are hints that she will become involved in politics after she fought against the lords who were illegally capturing black Londoners for the American slave trade. It was a fascinating journey made all the more interesting by the brilliant performance of Pippa Bennett- Warner.