Amanda Vickery explores the history of masculinity through six different archetypes of the ideal man - archetypes which still have an echo today.

In this third programme of the series, she explores the 18th century Lover: from irresistible seducer to lusty husband.

Professor Vickery begins on location in the bizarre erotic caves created by Sir Francis Dashwood on his estate near West Wycombe, which are built to resemble the most intimate space of a woman's body. Dashwood and his friends would drink there and have sex with prostitutes - although there was no shortage of women volunteering to join him.

Historian Faramerz Dabhoiwala, author of The Origins of Sex, tells the story of the caves and analyses the art of seduction as practised by 18th century seducers Casanova and Boswell. Historian Karen Harvey guides us through some strange 18th century erotica, and Hannah Greig introduces a diary which reveals the married sex life of a Manchester wigmaker: "Tis not hard doing it twice per day. I've seldom missed, through variety".

Amanda Vickery is Professor of Early Modern History at Queen Mary, University of London. She has made several series in creative collaboration with producer Elizabeth Burke, the most recent of which was Voices from the Old Bailey.

Producer: Elizabeth Burke.
A Loftus Audio production for BBC Radio 4. Show less