Sacred Haven of Debauchery

Cicisbeo (Ital. cicisbeo, pl. cicisbei) — "in Italy (primarily in the 18th century) — a constant companion of a wealthy married woman, accompanying her on walks and outings"^[1], often also her lover.

In the 18th—19th centuries in Italy, there existed a custom according to which a married lady had to appear in public (in church, on walks, etc.) accompanied by a constant companion (with the husband's knowledge). This practice, called cicisbeism, existed among the nobility of Venice, Genoa, Nice, Florence, and Rome. According to some sources, the presence and status of a cicisbeo were stipulated in marriage contracts; according to others, it was merely a specific custom of the time not formalized in documents. Some consider cicisbeism a sign of the growing emancipation of women within the 18th-century aristocracy.

Either way, this custom became deeply rooted. Husbands usually tolerated or even looked favorably upon it. For instance, Lord Byron was the cicisbeo of Countess Teresa Guiccioli (who eventually separated from her husband for Byron).