Theresa Berkley

Career as a dominatrix

Theresa Berkley operated an upscale flagellation brothel at 28 Charlotte Street, now 84–94 Hallam Street. As a "governess," she focused on chastisement, whipping, and flagellation, and created the Berkley Horse, a device that brought her considerable wealth from flogging rich clients. No known portraits of her exist, but scattered descriptions suggest she was attractive and had a forceful personality. Skilled with every kind of torture instrument, her services were in high demand among the aristocracy.

She maintained strict secrecy to safeguard her customers, who included both wealthy men and women. The erotic novel Exhibition of Female Flagellants was credited to her, likely incorrectly. An unnamed source, cited by Henry Spencer Ashbee, noted her tools included cat-o'-nine-tails, leather straps, holly brushes, green nettles, and a hook and pulley. Berkley would endure some torture herself if clients paid enough, but she hired other women for those who wanted to inflict more pain than she was willing to accept.

After her death

Shortly after her death in 1836, her brother, a missionary in Australia for 30 years, arrived in England. Upon learning the source of the property she left him, he renounced all claim and returned to Australia. The property was then bequeathed to Dr Vance, her medical attendant and executor, but he refused to administer, and the entire estate escheated to the crown. Dr Vance came into possession of several boxes of her correspondence, said to contain letters from the highest aristocracy, both male and female; the letters are thought to have been destroyed.