Histoire de la prostitution chez tous les peuples du monde depuis l'antiquité la plus reculée jusqu'à nos jours, tome 4/6

A sweeping, illustrated survey of how societies have regulated sexual commerce, this volume delves into the medieval French court’s peculiar institution known as the “king of the ribauds.” Drawing on archival orders, charters and the work of earlier scholars, the author reconstructs the role of this official—part judge, part police chief—who oversaw the world of courtesans and the moral economy of the royal household. Rich steel‑engraved plates bring the period’s pageantry and the stark realities of its streets to life, offering listeners vivid visual cues as the narrative unfolds.

Beyond the French example, the book situates the office within a broader tapestry of global practices, comparing it to analogous positions in the Holy Roman Empire and beyond. The author’s careful balance of scholarly rigor and accessible storytelling makes the early chapters a compelling entry point into a complex, often hidden facet of world history.