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The Dinner Party AKA The Banquet of Chestnuts
On October 30–31, 1501, Cesare Borgia decided to host a supper at the Papal Palace (it is not lost on me that this was essentially a Halloween party). Most of what we know of the events of the night were recorded in a diary by Protonotary Apostolic and Master of Ceremonies (wow what a name for this event), Johann Burchard.
Here is an excerpt from Burchard’s recording of the events that night:
On the evening of the last day of October, 1501, Cesare Borgia arranged a banquet in his chambers in the Vatican with “fifty honest prostitutes”,[2] called courtesans, who danced after dinner with the attendants and others who were present, at first in their garments, then naked.[3] After dinner the candelabra with the burning candles were taken from the tables and placed on the floor, and chestnuts were strewn around, which the naked courtesans picked up, creeping on hands and knees between the chandeliers, while the Pope, Cesare, and his sister Lucretia looked on. Finally, prizes were announced for those who could perform the act most often with the courtesans, such as tunics of silk, shoes, barrets, and other things.
Fifty of Only The Best and Most Beautiful Prostitutes or Courtesans
Approximately 50 prostitutes were hired to entertain the guests of Borgia’s dinner. They were beautiful and expensive. The best Rome had to offer.
The guest list was comprised of Borgia’s closest confidantes and the party included delectable food and wine. The prostitutes danced to entertain. First with themselves, then with the guests.
As the night drew on, the servants began taking candelabras from the tables and putting them on the floor along with strewing chestnuts about the floor.
The women crawled about on all fours picking up the chestnuts with their hands, toes, mouths, breasts, and private areas (I don’t know if I could pick up a chestnut with my vagina but I kind of want to try now).
Guests began to throw jewelry, gloves, and other valuables onto the floor for the dancers to pick up. Guests who were more bold chose to join the dancers on the floor and engage in all sorts of sexual activity.
And Then Prizes Were Awarded
It is not recorded who decided to award prizes at the dinner but winners in the following categories are believed to have been awarded:
-Most Orgasms
-Most Partners
-Most Amount of Cum (Ejaculate)
-Longest Time Spent Having Sex
The winners were given tunics, silk, and other prizes. I believe after researching that only the party guests were eligible to win the prizes as the dancers/prostitutes/courtesans had already been compensated to attend and perform.
Church Refutes The Dinner Happened
Many church leaders throughout the ages have refuted the existence of such a party. However, it seems a bit detailed to have truly just been made up by a jealous competitor of the Borgia family as some allege.
One thing is for certain, I won’t look at a chestnut the same again.