12 Facts About Jane Douglas

Mother Jane Douglas was born around 1698 to a well-to-do Edinburgh family named Marinet.

Jane Douglas had three sisters and at least one brother, but nothing more is known of the family.

Jane Douglas worked out of a house in St James's, Piccadilly and was praised by John Gay as "that inimitable Courtesan".

Jane Douglas was on intimate terms with many influential people, both men and women, but had a particularly close friendship with John Williams.

Jane Douglas took a house in the Little Piazza, to the east of the main piazza on the corner of Russell Street, that had recently been vacated by Betty Careless.

In 1741, Jane Douglas moved to the opposite side of the square into the vacant King's Head.

Jane Douglas made further improvements, installing a drain and cesspool, extending the water supply, and renovating the roof, chimneys, and staircases.

Jane Douglas added a restaurant with liveried waiters to serve the guests.

Jane Douglas's house was popular with army officers on leave and the captains of the East Indiamen.

Jane Douglas attempted to maintain an honest house, discharging girls if they were caught stealing, but from time to time she fell afoul of the Society for the Reformation of Manners, in the person of Sir John Gonson and his anti-vice patrols, and was arrested.

Jane Douglas's house fell out of fashion with high society and a lower class of customer began to patronise the establishment.

Jane Douglas herself became pregnant; the child was thought to be Lord Fitzwilliam's and was the subject of much debate, although Rear Admiral Charles Holmes, another of Jane Douglas' lovers, later turned out to be the father.