Salonnières and LGBT Torchbearers of History
History is the celebration of the intellectual ingenuity, original ideas and flair of the defiant women and LGBT Torchbearers who have consistently led the social, cultural, scientific, technological and economic breakthroughs.
As an LGBT Historian of the Early Modern Age 1603-1840, I have always been driven by a fascination for the eras in which The Arts have ruled for these eras fuelled tolerance, liberty prosperity and progress.
Exploring the first Irish and British Salons from 1603, I have focused on the defiant women Salonnières that arose during the reign of the Stuart Monarchy, following the death of Elizabeth I with her suppression of The Arts, trade and civil liberties. To finance her economically disastrous wars against the four most powerful countries in Europe she raised taxes which plunged the kingdom into widespread famines.
In contrast, the openly gay monarch, King James I actively supported The Arts and abolished laws that restricted The Arts, trade and civil liberties including Elizabeth’s criminalisation of theatres and cross-dressing legislation of 1574. His peace with Europe opened up trade and increased revenue.
Famine soon ended under James I and by 1625 when King Charles I and his Fabulous, Crossdressing Queen Henri came to the throne, the kingdom was attracting the leading LGBT artists of the world, heralding, “The Halcyon Era”.
The British and Irish Salons provided safe places and patronage for both women and LGBT Artists and Thinkers. Unlike the rest of the world the salons were open to all regardless of gender, race, religion or class.
The popularisation of The Arts opened theatre ballet and opera to wider audiences. The proliferation of printing presses led to a sharp rise in literacy and inspired more people to chose to express their ideas and opinions in print. London was soon hailed as the artistic hub of Europe for the first time in history.
Salons also created the first international celebrities: like the gay playwright Shakespeare; the trans activist Mal Frith; author, Elizabeth Cary; the gay father of The Scientific Revolution, Sir Francis Bacon; the eccentric scientist and dystopian author, Margaret Cavendish and the Scientist and glassmaker Sir Kenelm Digby who invented Champagne as well as producing the champagne bottle, coupe and flute in 1633.
These changes had a huge impact across society at large. The Arts were now available to all and women were becoming increasingly visible in literature opera, philosophy, translation and science. Famous women opera singers, writers, musicians and playwrights earned more than many men in their field.
Unfortunately, the rising influence of women and celebrity LGBT artists and thinkers enraged the Puritans and with the Stuart monarchy unwilling to address the Puritans in Parliament the result was a series of religious wars from 1642.
Waged by wealthy hard-line Calvinists and bigots led by Oliver Cromwell against more liberal minded Anglicans, Britain and Ireland were plunged into violence and famine returned. By 1648 Cromwell had abolished Democracy to create a Puritan Military Dictatorship. Cromwell’s reign was characterised by racial and moral genocides, increased oppression of women and the criminalisation of The Arts.
Nevertheless, Salon Culture arose again, like a Phoenix from the ashes with the joyous Restoration of Charles II in 1660. London viaducts flowed with champagne to celebrate the return of Artistic Freedoms.
The larger London LGBT Salons of the 1700s hosted by the defiant women, Dorothy Savile and Elizabeth Montague, ensured the Arts and Individuality continued to flourish.
In the late 1800s, salon culture was drawn to the decadence of Oscar Wilde’s aesthetes and the Beau Monde of Paris, led by female salonnière publisher and author, Rashilde who assisted in revitalising Oscar Wilde’s career in Paris following the horrors of Reading Gaol.
These Halcyon Eras in which The Arts reign prove that history is not made by conformists. For whilst hitherto history has been written by privileged straight male liars focused on politics wars and religion, the truth is, history is marked by originals; defiant thinkers, artists, opera, musicians, thinkers, poets, writers, playwrights, composers, actors, dancers and eccentrics.
It is those who eschew the status quo and dare to cut a line of their own; in the way they think, live and dress, who create lasting change.
We stand at a crucial crossroads in history today and if we are to survive the environmental, social and economic challenges ahead it is imperative that we turn to The Arts, rather than the didactic dogma of politics or religion which have been failing us for centuries.
Artists are the architects of ingenuity, flair and inspiration. The Arts unite, liberate and inspire whilst the dogmas of politics and religions seek to control divide and oppress.
The solutions of the future lie in The Arts.
In The Arts We Trust.