Flagellation is a beating, usually with twigs or a whip. It may be employed as a penal punishment for criminals, as a means of correction for children, or as a sexual activity of the sado-masochism family. Research Flagellation
Sado-masochism is a form of sexual activity involving actual or simulated pain so as to enhance sexual pleasure. Various forms are common, including at the gentle end of the spectrum back scratching during intercourse, through corporal punishment (spanking) and flagellation, ranging to the use of devices such as nipple clamps, whips, and more severe forms of pain. It should be emphasised that the whole point of sado-masochism is not of pain, but of pleasure for all (usually two) parties involved. The popular misconception that sado-masochism is about hurting one's partner is a naive fallacy. Rather, due to the complex nature of the relationship between pain and pleasure centres in the brain, many people find a little pain during sexual intercourse enhances their pleasure - for example having their back scratched. Generally, parties involved in sado-masochistic sexual activities enjoy both the dominant and receptive roles, and may also partake of other associated sexual activities such as bondage, slave and master games, humiliation and so on. Flagellation as a means of sexual activity, either solo for masturbation or with other parties has been practised for thousands of years, and was formerly (and may still be) very popular with religious recluses and monks. Under current UK law, any form of sado-masochistic sexual activity partaken of between consenting adults, in private or otherwise is illegal, and constitutes assault (the law stating that one cannot consent to assault unless in a sports scenario, such as boxing). Research Sado-masochism
The Flagellants were a 13th century sect who maintained that flagellation was of equal virtue with baptism and other sacraments. They walked in procession with shoulders bare, and whipped themselves until the blood ran down their bodies, to obtain the mercy of God and appease his wrath against the vices of the age. Rainer, a hermit of Perugia, is said to have been the sect's founder in 1260. He soon found followers in nearly all parts of Italy. Their number soon amounted to 10,000, who went about, led by priests bearing banners and crosses. They went in thousands from country to country, begging alms; and for centuries they formed a sort of intermittent order of fanatics, frequently reappearing here and there in times of extraordinary declension or distress. Research Flagellants
Mary Jeffries was an English brothel-keeper. She was born in 1854 and died in 1907. She owned three fashionable brothels in Church Street, Kensington, a flagellation house in Hampstead and a chamber of horrors in Gray's Inn Road. Her clients included the King of Belgium and many rich
and important members of British society, including at least one member of the House of Lords and a titled Guards officer. It is likely that she also operated a white slave house by the river at Kew, from where kidnapped drugged women were exported to foreign countries. Research Mary Jeffries
Abbreviations
Research Flagellation
