From 1732 to 1836 ‘The Most Ancient and Most Puissant order of the Beggar’s Benison and Merryland, Anstruther’, known as the ‘The Beggar’s Benison Club’ sought to reinforce the bonds of homo-sociability through a celebration of male sexuality. The club spawned branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh and even St Petersburg. Early members were local merchants and the gentry, though later recruits included members of the upper ranks of society, including the Prince of Wales (later George IV). Using myths and pseudo fac