Magda is the madam of a brothel in Meacham Street owned by Joseph Trevelyan.
Personal History[]
Magda is Austrian. She grew up in the same village as Reinhardt Mayrhofer, likely near Graz, Austria.[2]. At some point, she came to England and became the madam of the brothel in Meacham Street. By the time she comes into contact with Lord John Grey and Harry Quarry, she has lost her accent and goes by the name "Mags" which, to an Englishman, would seem to be a nickname for Maggie or Margaret.
She appears to be an amateur collector of torture implements. She displays thumbscrews, irons, tongue-borers, and irons on her mantelpiece, all collected from prisons like Newgate and Bridewell.
Lord John series[]
Lord John and the Private Matter[]
When Joseph Trevelyan cites the brothel in Meacham Street as his particular favorite, Harry Quarry and Lord John visit in order to find out if Trevelyan has syphilis. Magda is on familiar terms with Harry, calling him "Handsome Harry" and poking him playfully. She introduces John to Nessie, one of her younger girls.
Later, Magda's dress is found on the body of a man dressed as a woman. Lord John immediately recognizes the dress and Magda is taken into custody for questioning by the constable.
It's later revealed that Magda's brothel is owned by Joseph Trevelyan. She was passing information gleaned from customers to Trevelyan. Magda was also allowing Trevelyan and Maria Mayrhofer to use the brothel as a rendezvous for their love affair. When Sergeant O'Connell followed Trevelyan to the brothel, Magda covered for Trevelyan and warned him that he had been found out.
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade[]
After the events of Private Matter, Magda continues running the brothel. She takes her girls to Tyburn Hill to watch the execution of three men accused of sodomy and treason. The accused include Harrison Otway, Michael Bates, and a lawyer called Jeffords.
Personality[]
She is a shrewd, pragmatic woman.
Physical Appearance[]
She is a middle-aged woman with a wide, thin-lipped mouth and few remaining teeth. She is well-built[3]with a large backside.[4]
Trivia[]
- Though Mags is initially thought to be German, she's later revealed to be Austrian. However, given the geo-political conditions of the time and the repeated characterization of her as German by other characters, it's possible she's also German.
TV Series[]
Appearances[]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Lord John and the Private Matter, chapter 7
- ↑ Lord John and the Private Matter, chapter 6
- ↑ Lord John and the Private Matter, chapter 7
- ↑ Lord John and the Private Matter, chapter 6