The Tradition of Female Transvestism in Early Modern Europe

On 23 February in the year 1769, a woman was condemned by the court of the Dutch city of Gouda for 'gross and excessive fraud in changing her name and quality' and 'mocking holy and human laws concerning marriage'. In 17th and 18th century Europe, especially Holland, England and Germany, so many women chose to dress and live as men, that an underground tradition of female transvestism within the popular culture can be detected. This study, based upon 119 well-documented Dutch cases of female transvestism, is the first of its kind and tells us how these women adapted to male life and why, once discovered, reactions to them were both fierce and varied. It also explores the reasons why they chose to change gender. Special attention is devoted to transvestism by one partner as the only way in which lesbian love was conceiveable in this period In 17th and 18th century Europe, especially Holland, England and Germany, there existed an underground tradition of female cross-dressing within the popular culture. 114 Dutch cases of cross-dressing are discussed here, covering why they chose to change gender and the reactions they received. Front Matter....Pages i-xv Introduction....Pages 1-4 Women Who Lived as Men....Pages 5-24 Motives and Tradition....Pages 25-46 Sexuality....Pages 47-72 Condemnation and Praise....Pages 73-98 Some Conclusions....Pages 99-103 Back Matter....Pages 104-128 Rudolf M. Dekker And Lotte C. Van De Pol ; Foreword By Peter Burke. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Rudolf M. Dekker And Lotte C. Van De Pol ; Foreword By Peter Burke. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. 113-125.