Harems

[Vice Admiral]

A passing reference in a book review I read the other day to the fact that some Sultan or other supposedly had 900 girls in his harem set me thinking – and investigating.

Wikipedia suggests that 900 may be an exaggeration.  However the official register from the 18th and 19th centuries records that the harem at Topkapi in Constantinople contained 446 slave women during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I (1730–1754); 720 during that of Sultan Selim III (1789–1808); and 473 during that of Sultan Mahmud II (1808–1839).

Now 720 is a lorra lorra concubines.  Just think of the logistics!  And the food bills!  Not to mention the mental stress involved in choosing your companion for the night – and leaving all the others suffering from feelings of rejection and low self-esteem.  No wonder the Ottoman Empire collapsed.

A small harem, however, is something that I guess most of us could live with – and indeed I have an outbuilding I’m thinking of converting for the purpose.

But what’s the legal position in this country?  More than two girls working from one place makes it a brothel, and therefore against the law.  However, if the girls are strictly for personal use, do the same rules apply?

In any case, concubines in a harem don’t get paid, so perhaps that’s a “get out of jail” card?

Except what would Unite Hospitality (the trade union for the hospitality industry) have to say about that?  Could one get away with claiming they were just girlfriends?

It’s a minefield.

[Stevelondon]

I don’t see a problem.

You are after all simply housing a bunch of lasses who want to be there. Lasses who on occasions will expect to be sexually satisfied by your good self. 🤷🏼

I personally don’t know any girls who might be willing to co-operate with your venture. It might be that work ‘Outbuilding’ that’s a problem.

[RandomGuy99]

But how do you get decisions on important issues such as what to have for tea, what colour to paint the bathroom and what to watch on the TV?

[Jonestown]

Perhaps consult the various biographies of the late Marquis of Bath for guidance in this matter, he had many years experience of keeping multiple “wifelets” in outbuildings on his estate.

[mills_and_bhuna]

A passing reference in a book review I read the other day to the fact that some Sultan or other supposedly had 900 girls in his harem set me thinking – and investigating.

Wikipedia suggests that 900 may be an exaggeration.  However the official register from the 18th and 19th centuries records that the harem at Topkapi in Constantinople contained 446 slave women during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I (1730–1754); 720 during that of Sultan Selim III (1789–1808); and 473 during that of Sultan Mahmud II (1808–1839).

Now 720 is a lorra lorra concubines.  Just think of the logistics!  And the food bills!  Not to mention the mental stress involved in choosing your companion for the night – and leaving all the others suffering from feelings of rejection and low self-esteem.  No wonder the Ottoman Empire collapsed.

A small harem, however, is something that I guess most of us could live with – and indeed I have an outbuilding I’m thinking of converting for the purpose.

But what’s the legal position in this country?  More than two girls working from one place makes it a brothel, and therefore against the law.  However, if the girls are strictly for personal use, do the same rules apply?

In any case, concubines in a harem don’t get paid, so perhaps that’s a “get out of jail” card?

Except what would Unite Hospitality (the trade union for the hospitality industry) have to say about that?  Could one get away with claiming they were just girlfriends?

It’s a minefield.

Go to Utah......

[Vice Admiral]

Perhaps consult the various biographies of the late Marquis of Bath for guidance in this matter, he had many years experience of keeping multiple “wifelets” in outbuildings on his estate.

Oddly enough, the thought of trying to follow the Marquess of Bath’s example had crossed my mind.

I’ve just asked Google AI what attracted his wifelets to the Marquess.

Here’s the reply:  “Women (dubbed 'wifelets') were attracted to the eccentric 7th Marquess of Bath (Alexander Thynn) by his bohemian lifestyle, titular status, and extravagant wealth. He offered them a luxurious life at his Longleat estate, romanticised them through his art and writing, and provided a unique brand of affection that made each woman feel like his favourite.”

Quite a comprehensive package.  So yes, Stevelondon, I fear you are right that my own outbuilding – however much I tarted it up – might not make me competitive.

[juzz]

'Slave women'. Hmmm, let me think...

[Private Parts]

I don’t see a problem.

You are after all simply housing a bunch of lasses who want to be there. Lasses who on occasions will expect to be sexually satisfied by your good self. 🤷🏼

I personally don’t know any girls who might be willing to co-operate with your venture. It might be that work ‘Outbuilding’ that’s a problem.

Surely this is just a glorified HMO?
Very topical 

[cunningman]

'Slave women'. Hmmm, let me think...

I suspect that there is a minefield (legal and ethical) - I had in mind that it was illegal to advertise offers of accommodation in return for sex, but it does seem inconsistent with prostitution laws and also that clearly people look for different things in a relationship - and a roof over your head and access to wheels is clearly a factor in some womens' calculation.

Perhaps its actually soliciting in that case?

[DastardlyDick]

A passing reference in a book review I read the other day to the fact that some Sultan or other supposedly had 900 girls in his harem set me thinking – and investigating.

Wikipedia suggests that 900 may be an exaggeration.  However the official register from the 18th and 19th centuries records that the harem at Topkapi in Constantinople contained 446 slave women during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I (1730–1754); 720 during that of Sultan Selim III (1789–1808); and 473 during that of Sultan Mahmud II (1808–1839).

Now 720 is a lorra lorra concubines.  Just think of the logistics!  And the food bills!  Not to mention the mental stress involved in choosing your companion for the night – and leaving all the others suffering from feelings of rejection and low self-esteem.  No wonder the Ottoman Empire collapsed.

A small harem, however, is something that I guess most of us could live with – and indeed I have an outbuilding I’m thinking of converting for the purpose.

But what’s the legal position in this country?  More than two girls working from one place makes it a brothel, and therefore against the law.  However, if the girls are strictly for personal use, do the same rules apply?

In any case, concubines in a harem don’t get paid, so perhaps that’s a “get out of jail” card?

Except what would Unite Hospitality (the trade union for the hospitality industry) have to say about that?  Could one get away with claiming they were just girlfriends?

It’s a minefield.

I believe the "rule" in Islam is that you can have as many wives as you like as long as you can afford their Montenegro .