Oscar Wilde And Reading Jail?

[moggie 939]

Was he jailed for a long time and was it due to an illicit affair?

Moggie

[davebro3]

2 years I think - for gross indecency

[Atheist]

Male homosexuality was illegal at the time. Female homosexuality "does not exist" (according to Queen Victoria), so only men were arrested and banged up (if you'll excuse my teminology). I don't know how long his term was (if you'll excuse my teminology).

[barry1010]

2 years for using the services of homosexual brothels

[ToraToraTora]

It was basically an own goal. A newspaper reported that he was having an illegal gay affair with Lord Douglas, son of the Marquis of queensbury. He decided to sue but later withdrew because of he did not want to cause his lover the embarrasment of a defamation suit. Sadly though in withdrawing he basically admitted the affair ans was then prosecuted inj the criminal courts and jailed. If he'd have ignored the newspaper he'd have been fine.

[johnny.5]

"Marquis of queensbury"

isn't that boxing ?

or is that getting battered in another ring ?

[davebro3]

He was involved with other young (under-18) men besides his affair with Lord Alfred Douglas.

[ToraToraTora]

Yes johnny you're not wrong, Alfred was indeed the son of the Queensbury rules guy.

[davebro3]

but thanks to him for his literary achievements

[ToraToraTora]

14:49, yes but it was this case that gave the prosecutors the ammo they needed to prosecute.

[Peter Pedant]

2 y and for a very public affair !

The Marquess of Queenberry ( who sort of invented boxing) didnt like the carry-on with his son ( thebutterflyboy) and left a card for Wilde - "for Mr Wilde who poses as a somdomite"

the M of Q was NOT good at spelling

and the rest is history

[Peter Pedant]

o god no wonder you are confused - there are majorerrors in each of these posts

Yes Boxing - no Marquis, we have marquesses ( ladies are marchionesses).

case was a card as above

yes they went to court

The DEFENCE was eluctant to defend as any witness ( to kissy kissy) would be under oath admitting an offence

and no one wd do that

[retrocop]

Love the innuendo Johnny at 1448.

'Twice a night he smoked his pipe and drank his quart of beer'

[Peter Pedant]

and they found a stable-lad ( note to self - do NOT go around kissing stable lads) who wd do so

This was sensationally reported - the ladies of the night on Burlington Arcade ( next Royal Academy) complained that perversion was so popular they had had to reduce their prices!

The suit was libel

I think this is the case where Wilde's counsel says afterr ten days or so, 'My Lord I cant go on' and leaves

 

 

[Peter Pedant]

Wilde was cross examined and this was reported verbatim - Oscar having a chestful of divine ( deevy) one-liners. Much much better than you get here -( he drank his beer)

the sortee that sank him was 

" and did you kiss this other stable lad?"

"oh no he was far too ugly"

[Peter Pedant]

and so the questions were peppered with ( e.g.)

" the housemaids helper, a lad of fourteen - did you kiss him or was he too ugly"

oo-er Oscar !

so Oscar fled but the  long upshot was the slammer for 2 years.

it is Reading gaol by the way

 

[Peter Pedant]

He should have chosen Marshall Hall but had fallen out with him and I think his lawyer was Sergt Sullivan.

Marshall Hall they say - wd have torn up the card and told him to forget it.

Clearly oscar didnt get his money's worth from  his actual lawyer.

I dont check my facts on AB nowadays, it really doesnt seem worth the effort

[davebro3]

NURSE!!!!

[moggie 939]

Thanks everyone - I think I have the jist of it now!

Moggie