Learn: LGBTQ+ History
LGBTQ+ histories have not always been shared and celebrated, despite there being a long history of LGBTQ+ people. Individuals who have had enormous impacts on England, from the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 1st century AD to artists like Vita Sackville-West and Oscar Wilde in the 20th century, all lived authentic, bold private lives outside of the accepted norms of their time.
That’s why, from England's northern frontier at Hadrian’s Wall, to castles in the south East, we're highlighting the stories of remarkable LGBTQ+ figures in English history linked with our historic places.
We’re committed to telling the story of England in full and know we have much more to do. We'll be continuing to update our online resources as we find out more about these rich and diverse stories. For the most recent research on LGBTQ+ History by English Heritage explore our LGBTQ+ History page. You can also listen to one of our podcasts, explaining how we are doing more to highlight LGBTQ+ histories at our sites.
LGBTQ+ terminology and our use of it
When talking about LGBTQ+ history, lots of different words are used to describe people with a range of romantic and sexual orientations, and gender identities. The terms we use today to describe a range of sexualities and gender identities are generally quite recent inventions. For the most part, we simply don’t know how people in the past would have described their sexuality or gender. Self-identification is still very personal, and terminology and their uses can vary widely.
At English Heritage, we’re currently using the term LGBTQ+ because we believe it comes to closest to capturing the breadth of experiences and identities for those whose sexualities didn’t fit within historical societal norms. We recognise that this may continue to change, and we're continuing to explore these conversations through our work with dedicated networks and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The word ‘queer’ is sometimes used when talking about sexuality and gender in history as it is non-specific, but we know that for some within the LGBTQ+ community it has negative associations as historically it has been used derisively as well as for self-identification. The Oxford English Dictionary reports that ‘queer’ began to be reclaimed as a neutral or positive term from the late 1980s to capture the fluidity of sexuality and gender and include all experiences and identities. At English Heritage, we sometimes use the term ‘queer’, and it is always in this spirit of inclusivity.
Emperor Hadrian
Hadrian assumed control over the vast Roman Empire in AD 117 following the death of his adoptive father, Trajan. As emperor, he chose to focus on protecting the existing empire, rather than expanding it like previous emperors.
His most impressive statement of this policy was Hadrian’s Wall – a monument that still influences the landscape of northern England today, some 1,900 years after it was built. Hadrian was married to Sabina Augusta, but he also had same-sex sexual relationships, as was common for some Roman men. While this may be described today as ‘bisexuality’, this is not how Romans defined sexuality.
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Aelred of Rievaulx
In 1134, a young man called Aelred became a monk at Rievaulx Abbey, a Cistercian monastery founded two years previously in what is now North Yorkshire. A talented author, theologian, preacher and diplomat, Aelred rose to become abbot of Rievaulx between 1147 and his death in 1167.
Explore how Aelred’s writings have become a source of inspiration for LGBTQ+ Christians.
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‘Romantic female friendship’: Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire and Chiswick House
Historically, sex between men was against the law in England, but same-sex female attraction or sexual contact was not a criminal offence. Because it wasn’t recognised in law, evidence for lesbianism or female bisexuality is often difficult to find. However, in the 18th century, among fashionable women, same sex ‘romantic friendships’ were generally accepted, even if it was not in keeping with conventions of the time. One famous case of such friendship was linked with Chiswick House in London, home in the late 18th century to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire.
Learn MoreOut at Ranger’s House: An LGBTQIA+ Tour
The Wernher Collection at Ranger’s House, in London, is one of the greatest surviving private art collections ever assembled in Europe.
Out at Ranger’s House is an LGBTQIA+ tour of the collection developed by Young Producers as part of Shout Out Loud, our national youth engagement programme. The tour illuminates the LGBTQIA+ stories of the artists, the people who commissioned or owned the works, the figures represented within them, or their appropriation by the LGBTQIA+ community – traversing thousands of years of history from classical myth to modernity.
The tour is self-guided via a booklet available on site. Pick one up on your next visit to Ranger’s House.
Lord Beauchamp, Walmer Castle and Homosexuality in 20th-Century England
Built in 1540 to guard the English coast against foreign invasions, Walmer Castle is one of Kent’s most prominent landmarks. Since the 18th century it has been the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.
During the 1920s Walmer was home to William Lygon, 7th Earl of Beauchamp, who held extravagant parties at the castle. William Lygon’s sexuality became the subject of a scandal in the 1930s, and he was exiled from the UK between 1931 and 1937. His story is the inspiration for Evelyn Waugh’s most famous novel, Brideshead Revisited.
The Partners: Seely and Paget
John Seely and Paul Paget were partners both in life and in one of the most famous architectural firms of the interwar years. Having met at university, they went into business together in their early twenties and lived and worked together until Seely’s death. Each referred to the other simply as ‘the partner’, and their friends and families used ‘the partners’ when speaking of them too.
Their architectural masterpiece was their transformation of Eltham Palace, a medieval palace on the outskirts of London, into an art deco mansion, completed in 1936.
Gwen Lally, Pageant Master at Battle Abbey
A pageant master, theatre producer and actress who only played male parts, Gwen Lally was renowned for her striking appearance and wearing traditionally male clothing.
The 1932 Pageant of Battle Abbey had 2,600 performers and told the history of Kent in nine episodes from 1066 to 1876.
Explore our histories page to learn more about the continuing historical speculation into her relationships with women in her life.
London Pride: LGBTQ+ Stories from History
Many of the Blue Plaques in London commemorate the lives and stories of prominent LGBTQ+ individuals in English history. From novelists to economists, choreographers to codebreakers, learn more about the pioneering figures who made London’s LGBTQ+ community.
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