| John Rykener's Ring | |
|---|---|
| |
|
Origin |
John / Eleanor Rykener |
|
Type |
Ring |
|
Effects |
Provide pleasurable romantic encounters regardless of orientation or gender |
|
Downsides |
Leads one to be arrested for breaking unspoken social rules |
|
Activation |
Wearing |
|
Collected by |
Warehouse 13 |
|
Section |
|
|
Date of Collection |
May 26, 2024 |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
John Rykener, also known as Eleanor, was a 14th-century sex worker arrested in December 1394 for performing a sex act with a former chaplain while wearing female attire. Although historians tentatively link Rykener, who was male, to a prisoner of the same name, the only known facts of the sex worker's life come from an interrogation made by the mayor of London. Rykener was questioned on two offences: prostitution and sodomy. Prostitutes were not usually arrested in London during this period, while sodomy was an offence against morality rather than common law, and so pursued in ecclesiastical courts. There is no evidence that Rykener was prosecuted for either crime.
Rykener spoke of being introduced to sexual contact with men by Elizabeth Brouderer, a London embroideress who dressed Rykener as a woman and may have acted as procurer. According to the court transcription of this account, Rykener had sex with both men and women, including priests and nuns. Rykener spent part of summer 1394 in Oxford, working both as a prostitute and as an embroideress, and in Beaconsfield had a sexual relationship with a woman. Rykener returned to London via Burford in Oxfordshire, working there as a barmaid and continuing with sex work. On returning to London, Rykener had paid encounters near the Tower of London, just outside the city. Rykener was arrested with Britby one Sunday evening in women's clothes, and was still wearing them during the interrogation on 11 December. There, Rykener described prior sexual encounters in great detail. But it appears that no charges were ever brought against Rykener; or at least, no records have been found.
Effects[]
Makes one proficient at performing sexual acts with a partner, regardless of either’s gender identity or orientation. Both parties will be satisfied during the period and usually part ways afterwards. Each person involved has a higher likelihood of being arrested for any actions that disregard common etiquette in social situations. All are rules which are implied and unspoken, not formally illegal or banned. The action itself does not always lead to the arrest, which is usually waived off due to the unclear nature of the offense.