The Earl of Warwick's Condom

Among the more unusual items in the Greville Family of Warwick Castle Collection is an 18th century condom belonging to the then Earl of Warwick. Using this remarkable artefact as a starting point, historian and archivist Lesley Hall — who has over forty years of experience specialising in the history of gender and sexuality at the Wellcome Collection — will explore how ideas surrounding reproductive health, personal protection - 'safe sex', and population concerns developed between the 18th and 20th centuries.

This fascinating talk will consider who had access to contraception, how availability changed over time, and how shifting social attitudes, legal frameworks, and technological innovations influenced the choices people made. The session also reflects on broader themes of privacy, health, and social inequality, offering a revealing window into an aspect of everyday life that is often hidden from the historical record.

The historical object will also be on display. This talk has adult themes.

Wheelchair accessible.

Ticket price includes tea and coffee

Image: Illustration for The Machine, Or Love's Preservative. A Poem in Imitation of Homer and Virgil, and Dryden and Pope, anonymous, published by T Reynolds, London, 1744.

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Host or Publisher Heritage and Culture Warwickshire