Magdalene laundries was A Roman Catholic organization that was open during the 18th century to the 20the century. The purpose of the organization was for housing "fallen women", which in certain means a woman who turned to prostitution, women who became pregnant outside of marriage, or the young ladies who did not have family support at all. While staying at the board they were required to work , and the goal was to treat the woman that had "fallen" not so much punish them. Magdalene asylums became very popular between the 1800s through 1900s when ending leaving behind around 300 asylums in England. Christina Rossetti's influence came from Magdalene laundries because she volunteered their shortly after composing "Goblin Market" . She volunteered at the institute between 1859-1870 , many believe that "Goblin Market" and the story behind the two sisters was inspired by some of the "fallen women" she had encountered at St Mary Magdalene house of Charity in Highgate. The importance of this historical place such as Magdalene is important because , it focuses on the idea of "fallen women" which is way at Rossetti sets focus on in her storyline of "Goblin Market" it starts off as just a trip to the market but as the story continues the sister tries to fall down a path of temptation which could be similar to the one some of the women had at the asylum. 

“Category:Magdalene Asylum.” Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Magdalene_asylum.