I really love your videos. Unlike other historians on TH-cam, you present multiple ways of seeing historical events without coming down hard on your own conclusion. Questions are often more fun than answers.
Im in an intro to acting class where we had to pick a classical monologue to perform. We have to write an analysis of the monologue and our character. This was incredibly helpful. Moll was such a badass! Happy to be representing such badass women instead of all of the innocent damsels in distress, love, and suicide like the rest of the class.
Hi Alesha, thanks for watching and for commenting. I'm so glad you found the video useful and it's brilliant to hear that Moll is still getting her moment in the limelight. She is such a great part and I hope you enjoyed playing her. If there are any other classical plays, monologues or characters that you would like me to make a video about do let me know.
Hi dr. Kat, do whatever interests you as i love all your videos and anything you put up will be interesting. I gotta say i really loved this one as i am very interested in gender roles and construction
I'm here for acting too!!! I'm using one of her monologues in The Roaring Girl for drama school/college auditions these few months (and for the most important one I have) and this was awesome for my research! The play is great and as a character in it her fictionalization is absolutely beautiful and empowering to perform.
I'm fascinated by this history of gender roles and gender nonconformity, going into the periodic details and evidence most of us have forgotten. I'd love to see more videos like this!
Misha, might I suggest that you check out my video on the four humours? In it, I discuss the way that health was understood, but also how sex and gender were understood in the medieval and early modern eras: th-cam.com/video/v2eXNgMERzU/w-d-xo.html I'd love to know what you think!
I don't comment on videos often, but I have an exam coming up which covers The Roaring Girl and I wanted to say thank you for this video. Aside from being charming, as well as enlightening, it was also very enjoyable to learn from. Good job!
There is a genre of literature known as picaresque novels. The hero, or picaroon, is a rogue, but a good hearted one, so it looks like The Roaring Girl fits this genre
Family values and unexpected consequences. Actors were transient and generally seen as being of low social status, there was a strong suspicion that actresses would be of loose morals, possibly borderline prostitutes and bringing temptation to otherwise quiet god fearing young men. Which meant the family values/morality crusaders banned women from the stage either for the womens benefit to prevent them being lured into an immoral life or for the greater moral good, depending on the biases of the campaigner. Which meant acting troupes had to improvise on casting women for plays. Also plays were to a certain degree outside societies strict rules, thats part of the reason they were seen as immoral and women were banned from them. If a man appeared on stage in a dress he was going to be okay, if he decided to walk round Smithfield market in it he'd be in just as much trouble.
As ever, you have again opened my eyes to another bright character in history that made a unique mark in their day. Thank you for your insights. I always enjoy your videos and recommend you to many history lovers.
Loved the cross dressing theme, plus the flaunting of established dress codes. I had a great aunt who did the same. I do not remember ever seeing her in a dress! She predominantly war trousers or overalls. She worked on the land as a young women, milking cows and looking after poultry, helping with lambing. She loved horses and she rode shire horses, she told me the men did not like dealing with the horses because they bit the men. When she was older and after the war she set up a boarding kennel and cattery. Even as a 3 year old I would help, my dad took me down most days. Her sister was also independent but she took a different route, as a nurse, firstly an auxiliary but was awarded State Enrolled Nurse status when that qualification started. Her years of experience was recognised with a hospital badge and better pay. Although I have never been so blatant in my standing firm for what I believe and what I wanted to do it has, at times, been a struggle. But enough of me. I love your presentations but this one hit a chord. Thank you.
Firstly, I'd like to thank you, Dr. Kat, for all the delightful historical content you share on You Tube. Secondly, I just finished watching "The Roaring Girl" and it put me in mind of Charlotte Charke, daughter of Colley Cibber. She would make a great episode! Favoring "breeches" parts in the theater, she scandalized Georgian society by continuing to wear men's clothing in public. Also, her creation of a marionette theater lampooning public figures was years ahead of it's time ("Spitting Images" anyone?). She had a difficult yet fascinating life and I find her very admirable. Kathryn Shevelow's book "Charlotte: Being a True Account of an Actress's Flamboyant Adventures in Eighteenth-Century London's Wild and Wicked Theatrical World" is what sparked my interest - and I've just decided to read it again. Sincerely, Jarrett Smith
There's something to say about a woman of no particular means or connection who was able to manipulate and beat the system set out to make her conform...every time. And then, as a last hurrah, she most likely managed to outlive everyone who scandalized her in her lifetime!
Again, Dr Kat, a wonderful presentation of a historical figure with your trademark of several ways of seeing them. You consistently inform and challenge. Well done as always. I really like how animated you are in your videos!
She reminds me of the novel Moll Flanders. I expected you to mention it because although Moll Flanders is a fictional character and does differ from Mary Frith in the corss dressing thing, there are definitely some similarities between them. I believe Daniel Defoe might have been inspired by Mary Frith.. Very interesting figure! Thank you for making me aware of her!
My great grandfather has documented birth years of 1851, 1853, 1859, and 1861. All legal documents: immigration, marriage application, and the 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 census records. All these documents were completed by him for either himself or as head of the family.
hello dr.kat thanks for another great video...have u already made or would you consider making a video about the pendle witch trials? i would love to hear your version of these events
Dr. Kat, I agree it would be incredibly interesting and entertaining for you to cover the Pendle Witch trials and to hear your comments and opinions concerning the subject! Please consider it. Thank you and all you do to make your videos simply the very best historical videos out there! God bless you and your sweet little family.
Please cover Dr James Barry! I would love to hear an episode that you would do on him. If you would cover an American, I'll find the Civil War hero that was transgender and died in a nursing home in Illinois. Unfortunately, they treated him badly when they discovered that he didn't have the normal plumbing. It was sad.
Your channel randomly came up on my feed with your video about Anne of Cleves & after watching it, I immediately hit the subscribe button! I look forward to bingeing on all your videos during this lockdown 😊
I found this absolutely fascinating! Please do a video on plays and books such as the ones mentioned in this video. I have never heard of this subject matter before and I would love to know more. Thank you!
Only just discovered your brilliant history progs.. Loving them! You seem to be a Shakespeare enthusiast, as am I. I go to Stratford whenever I can. A few years ago, (prob. 5 or 6 - time flies!) My wife and I saw a production of The Roaring Girl at the Swan. Have you seen it? It's a brilliant play. My only criticism was, for some reason, they'd set it in Victorian London. It didn't spoil it for me, but it did mean Moll had to do her fencing with a walking stick! (Oh, they do do some weird things at the RSC!) I'm looking forward to watching more of your wonderful videos. I've got a lot to catch up - which is great! Best wishes tedem
Loved the video! If you have the time, I'd be interested in a video dedicated to Hic Mulier and Haec Vir. Stumbling about these pamphlets again as I'm currently writing a paper in Twelfth Night and would love to hear your thoughts on them!
having read the play some years ago, it seemed to me that the message that the authors wished to convey to the reader (or theattre goer) was that class and money shouldn't stand in the way of true love. while i'm not certain that the writers fully supported moll's personal lifestiyle, they probably believed that such a character , in the context of the day, would have more attention than someone more "realistic" trying to aid two lovers beset by class restrictions.
You are always informative! I happen to come across Queen Caroline, King George IV's wife. Can you do a video on this wild woman, please. She seems daring!
This was so interesting! Feel very inspired by her! thank you, this video is helping a lot with my drama school audition stuff as I’m performing a monologue from roaring girl! X
With regards to biographies would it be possible to look at the general topic of biographies being written in the form of novels? Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir write like this today but Jean Plaidy also wrote like this in thev1960s and 70s. How well do these novels compare to actual biographies?
I haven’t seen anyone say this but The Womanish Man is a brilliant pamphlet. Excuse my Americanism but that was absolutely savage and the men of London have never been dunked on harder.
Thanks for this video. I'm writing a book set in the late 1890's and my character is to play the lead in The Roaring Girl. She is 5'11" and very much not the tiny white female of the late-Victorian stage. When I found out about this play I knew it was perfect for my character. Crazy how it took multiple wars for women to be able to wear pants in respectable society, but even now people try to use pants as a weapon. They are easier to get around in, easier to work in, and THAT'S why males have fought so hard to keep them from women. If she's wearing pants, she can do what she needs doing instead of being at the mercy of some male who has no intention of helping her. We don't want to wear men's clothing--just make our own easier to live and work in. I love my dresses, and I LOVE MY PANTS!!!!!
Dr Kat, I just want to tell you how much I enjoy your utube posts! I love history and you help me get my history fix! Haha! Yes explain perfectly! Keep up the good work! And have your husband on more, you guys were super cute!
YES!!! I was just thinking of Dr. James Barry- what a legend! I assume you've read Rachel Holmes' biography, "Scanty Particulars"? If not, I seriously recommend it! :)
Very interesting. It may be a reflection of women's lives of this period, I wonder what it was like for women of this period to simply leave their homes and move about a city without a man to accompany them, the limitation on women in general whatever their status. Even in our enlightened times how many women might be reluctant to enter a pub on their own? It might be an ignorant question but could a woman even go to church on her own back then?
That is a good question. I recently told my children that there was a time when neither of my grandmothers could vote! We still have a way to go but we have made progress.
Moll Frith really seams to have been quite a character. Dressing up and pretending to be a man. clearly could give women a freedom they did not have as women.
I actually came to meet Mad Mall, aka Mary Frith, in a rather roundabout way, for a real, flesh and blood historical person. I met her in a fantasy book by Michael Scott Rohan. His Mary, or Mall, as she goes by in the book, sounds very like the historical Mary who I later looked into out of piqued curiosity. I love that in his depiction of “Mad Mall Frith”, Mary lived on and I think she’d have been tickled to know that she was still remembered in writing in the 20th century. For anyone interested they’re a series of books, the first one is called “Chase the Morning”, and I’ve no idea if they’re still in print.
As much as I have learned about English history in this period of time, this was something new! Very entertaining and informative! I am interested in hearing about the the philandering of Queen Victoria's son, Albert, whom later became. King of England. I have seen a photograph of a customized chair prostitutes used to "satisfy" the king in, as because of his portly girth aka obese, he would reside in this unusual chair which I certain, Dr. Kat, you have also seen. It was wooden, painted green with gilt and decorated. It resembled that of an OBGYN's table!😳😲😉
Please do a video about the pamphlets I would love to know more and wonder was the a LGBTQ community at the time . History is full of women dressing as men to achieve greatness. I would love to see some video about them too. Like the Pope who was really a woman.
Hi Dr. Kat , Im curious You seem so polished in Your presentation of these Historical records and facts - Are You improvinationally presenting , following an Outline or Guide of Bullet Points infront of You where we cant see ? Amazing either way . Its seems seemless , flawlessly n fluidly fluently recounted and relayed ?? - WoW Thank You , Historical facts are definitely Important +💟 Interested in how , in London the Poor ' and Rich hung out outside casted society ' and how Tipping and Social Reform came about with the English Garden Tea Service , I heard started the change of Societal caste differences , without covert slavery practices , services with Gratuity . Did The Wealthy Provendentials induct that into Society Civilization Standard , by Fashion , Example n Show ? Supposedly thats how Tipping started ? And Interested in The Fanny Mae (??) .. And also how The EnglishMan got past the troll bully abusors dictating society design , within the English language - Not being able to lie easily in English as Universal language . They ' are known for dry witty prim n proper humor and satire n sarcasm , maybe that gave them leeway , legroom for sustaining neutrality and Civility and not resort n cause to the heathenism , paganism and tribalism | like The Haughty ' RedBlue blooded hot tempered Scots ? +🤍
I think I love this character. Is there further reading? BTW, James I, based on my study had no business commenting on gender variants or sexuality. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I find it kind of funny that James I who was supposedly very effeminate got pissy about women wearing men’s clothing. You’d think someone who defied traditional gender stereotypes might not have been so uptight about it.
Fascinating story beautifully told, Dr. Kat. Mary's reckless and licentious behaviour, bizarre dressing, apparent disregard for the conventions of the day, and at least one episode of temporary 'insanity' requiring hospitalization, are very suggestive of bipolar affective disorder, or at the very least a personality disorder.
Regarding women dressing as men, I believe that many of those who did, did it to allow themselves more freedom and to perhaps prevent unwanted attentions from the male sex. Dressing as a man would allow a woman to go places and to do things that would otherwise have been denied her. In Sherlock Holmes' "A Scandal in Bohemia" the woman in the piece dresses as a man and accompanies her boyfriend to what we would call a nightclub and watches the floorshow of dancing women. She also dresses as a man in order to inconspicuously follow Sherlock Holmes to his apartment on Baker Street. Of course this is much later than the period of which you speak but it is an instance of a woman dressing as a man to do things that a woman (or, at least, "a lady") otherwise wouldn't do.
Those pamphlets were interesting, because where I come from and in our dialect, we still say 'Her's a Mon-Ooman' meaning a butch or unfeminine lady. This does not mean an assertive woman, we rather like them, nor is it a put down, just a woman who looks or behaves in a masculine way. I wonder if our perceptions go back to this
I would have been harassed and said to be insane for sure. I am not even a little bit feminine. Ive looked at the way women dressed during these periods and said I would never put up with wearing all of that ridiculous uncomfortable clothing. Plus it was not at all practical!
I'm reminded of a song from the 1920s, "masculine women, feminine men, which is the rooster, which is the hen?" Unconventional dress is still threatening some people all these centuries later!
The dynamics of cross dressing are an interesting dive into the human psyche. As a woman, I would be hard pressed to see the appeal (as a man) of donning woman's accoutrements (bra, girdles, stillettos) as a fashion statement, without fetshism being an aspect of the practice. And that is solely because these things are uncomfortable... and I as a woman only wear these types of items when I want to play up my natural born femininity and sexual power, because there is power in such expression and at times, the discomfort may be either a statement or a gifting dependent on the circumstances. In my own personal opinion, if I ever dressed in a true masculine style- it would be because of a statement about sexual preference with that act being a visual cue OR an intellectual choice signaling men to keep a distance from me while still garmering attention. Conversely, I am saddened by the fact that many men rail at the idea of wearing a suit of clothes, when it is one of my chief pleasures to see the men in my family look debonair occasionally. It reveals a lot about a man that he would skip over his varied clothing options (Astaire comes to mind) and raid the panty drawer. As we live in an age where fetishism is promoted and lauded, even in young children- I have to wonder how effective the sumptuary laws were at restraining what seems to be a relatively common slant.
I would be very greatful if you could do a video about the young man posing as QE 1st illegitimate son, Please? I really enjoy your voice. Thank you so much.
trying to remember if i finished Defoe's Moll Flanders. It was quite boring, as she's completely unsympathetic - has no feelings eg for her children. It's not that she's nasty, so much as heartless in the literal sense, which is in fact boring. Don't recommend, i''m afraid. The Dekker play sounds fun tho
I've got to wonder if this was an example of a trans man before we had the language, or just a very roughish, chaotic woman with an unfair lot being born to such a time. So funny how James I was bisexual yet so angry at those who bent gender and the norm.... Maybe he just hated women, a là Maelus Maloficarum (sp?)
Honestly as much as I would love to say that Mary was either a butch or trans... given that those aren't terms that she would have any idea about or use to identify with, it's not right to do that now.
When I was a girl, dresses were the norm for girls, and the only time we wore trousers was in our own yards and homes. If we went in public... it was a dress.
I’m in my sixties and had to wear dresses to school. It wasn’t until my senior year the the dress code allowed for females to wear pants and I live in the Pennsylvania snow belt.
I had to wear dresses to school until I was 11, in 1971. I protested that it was indecent for girls to have to do bicycle-in-the-air exercises with only their underwear visible, the skirts always fell over our heads when we were upside down. So, I petitioned the school to have this rule overturned, and won. I still mostly wear skirts and dresses, by it’s by choice, not because of someone’s rule.
I really love your videos. Unlike other historians on TH-cam, you present multiple ways of seeing historical events without coming down hard on your own conclusion. Questions are often more fun than answers.
Thank you, I think the fun is in the questions too!
Im in an intro to acting class where we had to pick a classical monologue to perform. We have to write an analysis of the monologue and our character. This was incredibly helpful. Moll was such a badass! Happy to be representing such badass women instead of all of the innocent damsels in distress, love, and suicide like the rest of the class.
Hi Alesha, thanks for watching and for commenting. I'm so glad you found the video useful and it's brilliant to hear that Moll is still getting her moment in the limelight. She is such a great part and I hope you enjoyed playing her. If there are any other classical plays, monologues or characters that you would like me to make a video about do let me know.
Hi dr. Kat, do whatever interests you as i love all your videos and anything you put up will be interesting. I gotta say i really loved this one as i am very interested in gender roles and construction
I'm here for acting too!!! I'm using one of her monologues in The Roaring Girl for drama school/college auditions these few months (and for the most important one I have) and this was awesome for my research!
The play is great and as a character in it her fictionalization is absolutely beautiful and empowering to perform.
I really like your hair in this style. It frames your face better than pulled back in a ponytail.
Thank you for this story.
Cut purse Moll, yes I remember hearing about Mary Frith when I was involved in historical reenactments
I'm fascinated by this history of gender roles and gender nonconformity, going into the periodic details and evidence most of us have forgotten. I'd love to see more videos like this!
Misha, might I suggest that you check out my video on the four humours? In it, I discuss the way that health was understood, but also how sex and gender were understood in the medieval and early modern eras: th-cam.com/video/v2eXNgMERzU/w-d-xo.html I'd love to know what you think!
Yes me too!
I don't comment on videos often, but I have an exam coming up which covers The Roaring Girl and I wanted to say thank you for this video. Aside from being charming, as well as enlightening, it was also very enjoyable to learn from. Good job!
Thank you, I'm really glad you found it useful. Best of luck for your exam as well!
I like biographies. Never heard of her,ohhhhh she was Moll Cutpurse!!!!!
Fascinating as always. I would love to see a dedicated video on those pamphlets.
There is a genre of literature known as picaresque novels. The hero, or picaroon, is a rogue, but a good hearted one, so it looks like The Roaring Girl fits this genre
Weird... Mary couldn’t dress as a man due to strict social rules, yet men regularly performed women’s parts in plays..... dressed as women.
Always, and forever, the old double standard.
I know right?🙄
Family values and unexpected consequences.
Actors were transient and generally seen as being of low social status, there was a strong suspicion that actresses would be of loose morals, possibly borderline prostitutes and bringing temptation to otherwise quiet god fearing young men.
Which meant the family values/morality crusaders banned women from the stage either for the womens benefit to prevent them being lured into an immoral life or for the greater moral good, depending on the biases of the campaigner.
Which meant acting troupes had to improvise on casting women for plays.
Also plays were to a certain degree outside societies strict rules, thats part of the reason they were seen as immoral and women were banned from them.
If a man appeared on stage in a dress he was going to be okay, if he decided to walk round Smithfield market in it he'd be in just as much trouble.
Mysognistic
That was magical, thank you!
As ever, you have again opened my eyes to another bright character in history that made a unique mark in their day. Thank you for your insights. I always enjoy your videos and recommend you to many history lovers.
Loved the cross dressing theme, plus the flaunting of established dress codes. I had a great aunt who did the same. I do not remember ever seeing her in a dress! She predominantly war trousers or overalls. She worked on the land as a young women, milking cows and looking after poultry, helping with lambing. She loved horses and she rode shire horses, she told me the men did not like dealing with the horses because they bit the men. When she was older and after the war she set up a boarding kennel and cattery. Even as a 3 year old I would help, my dad took me down most days. Her sister was also independent but she took a different route, as a nurse, firstly an auxiliary but was awarded State Enrolled Nurse status when that qualification started. Her years of experience was recognised with a hospital badge and better pay. Although I have never been so blatant in my standing firm for what I believe and what I wanted to do it has, at times, been a struggle. But enough of me. I love your presentations but this one hit a chord. Thank you.
You are so well spoken and have the ability to connect. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your lectures. You have the gift of gab. I am addicted.
Firstly, I'd like to thank you, Dr. Kat, for all the delightful historical content you share on You Tube. Secondly, I just finished watching "The Roaring Girl" and it put me in mind of Charlotte Charke, daughter of Colley Cibber. She would make a great episode! Favoring "breeches" parts in the theater, she scandalized Georgian society by continuing to wear men's clothing in public. Also, her creation of a marionette theater lampooning public figures was years ahead of it's time ("Spitting Images" anyone?). She had a difficult yet fascinating life and I find her very admirable. Kathryn Shevelow's book "Charlotte: Being a True Account of an Actress's Flamboyant Adventures in Eighteenth-Century London's Wild and Wicked Theatrical World" is what sparked my interest - and I've just decided to read it again. Sincerely, Jarrett Smith
There's something to say about a woman of no particular means or connection who was able to manipulate and beat the system set out to make her conform...every time. And then, as a last hurrah, she most likely managed to outlive everyone who scandalized her in her lifetime!
Again, Dr Kat, a wonderful presentation of a historical figure with your trademark of several ways of seeing them. You consistently inform and challenge. Well done as always. I really like how animated you are in your videos!
Thank you , again.
Never heard of her. I found this very interesting and enjoyable.
Yes, interesting & informative
She reminds me of the novel Moll Flanders.
I expected you to mention it because although Moll Flanders is a fictional character and does differ from Mary Frith in the corss dressing thing, there are definitely some similarities between them. I believe Daniel Defoe might have been inspired by Mary Frith..
Very interesting figure! Thank you for making me aware of her!
My great grandfather has documented birth years of 1851, 1853, 1859, and 1861. All legal documents: immigration, marriage application, and the 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 census records. All these documents were completed by him for either himself or as head of the family.
Never heard of her before, but this was so interesting that I would love more, please.
hello dr.kat thanks for another great video...have u already made or would you consider making a video about the pendle witch trials? i would love to hear your version of these events
Dr. Kat, I agree it would be incredibly interesting and entertaining for you to cover the Pendle Witch trials and to hear your comments and opinions concerning the subject! Please consider it. Thank you and all you do to make your videos simply the very best historical videos out there! God bless you and your sweet little family.
Ditto
This was extremely helpful as I am currently looking at classical monologues for audition and this has really helped. Thank you!
Thank you, I'm so pleased you found this video useful! Break a leg for your audition!
What a great subject for a movie Moll would be!!
Please cover Dr James Barry! I would love to hear an episode that you would do on him. If you would cover an American, I'll find the Civil War hero that was transgender and died in a nursing home in Illinois. Unfortunately, they treated him badly when they discovered that he didn't have the normal plumbing. It was sad.
Dr Kat, I just found your channel today and I am already binge-watching with delight. Well done!
Your channel randomly came up on my feed with your video about Anne of Cleves & after watching it, I immediately hit the subscribe button! I look forward to bingeing on all your videos during this lockdown 😊
AWESOME channel and thanks Kat for turning me on to this unique person and play. I would love to hear your take on James One and his male consorts.
Dr. Kay you are so adorable!!!
Those two pamphlets were obviously prophetic to Barrack and Moochelle ...
I had never heard of Moll/Mary so interesting!!!
I found this absolutely fascinating! Please do a video on plays and books such as the ones mentioned in this video. I have never heard of this subject matter before and I would love to know more. Thank you!
Only just discovered your brilliant history progs.. Loving them! You seem to be a Shakespeare enthusiast, as am I. I go to Stratford whenever I can. A few years ago, (prob. 5 or 6 - time flies!) My wife and I saw a production of The Roaring Girl at the Swan. Have you seen it? It's a brilliant play. My only criticism was, for some reason, they'd set it in Victorian London. It didn't spoil it for me, but it did mean Moll had to do her fencing with a walking stick! (Oh, they do do some weird things at the RSC!) I'm looking forward to watching more of your wonderful videos. I've got a lot to catch up - which is great! Best wishes tedem
Well done, Dr. Kat. Love to learn something new every day. Even at 67 one must continue learning, or life will seem not worth continuing.
Definitely interested in pamphlets!
What an interesting character, and yes I would love a video on the pamphlets, if you haven't already made one.
Loved the video! If you have the time, I'd be interested in a video dedicated to Hic Mulier and Haec Vir. Stumbling about these pamphlets again as I'm currently writing a paper in Twelfth Night and would love to hear your thoughts on them!
I really pleased you enjoyed the video and thank you for the suggestion, I'd be happy to do a video on the pamphlets - I'll pop them on my list.
I found your channel recently and love your content. Greetings from Puerto Rico.
having read the play some years ago, it seemed to me that the message that the authors wished to convey to the reader (or theattre goer) was that class and money shouldn't stand in the way of true love. while i'm not certain that the writers fully supported moll's personal lifestiyle, they probably believed that such a character , in the context of the day, would have more attention than someone more "realistic" trying to aid two lovers beset by class restrictions.
I’d be interested in the pamphlets. Thank you, this was interesting!
You are always informative! I happen to come across Queen Caroline,
King George IV's wife. Can you do a video on this wild woman, please. She seems daring!
I'm guessing this was the inspiration for Moll Flanders in the early 18th century?
Especially the way you explain things !
This was so interesting! Feel very inspired by her! thank you, this video is helping a lot with my drama school audition stuff as I’m performing a monologue from roaring girl! X
With regards to biographies would it be possible to look at the general topic of biographies being written in the form of novels? Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir write like this today but Jean Plaidy also wrote like this in thev1960s and 70s. How well do these novels compare to actual biographies?
I'd like to think that Mary Frith is an ancestor of mine !!!!! Thanks for an interesting video.
I haven’t seen anyone say this but The Womanish Man is a brilliant pamphlet. Excuse my Americanism but that was absolutely savage and the men of London have never been dunked on harder.
Thanks for this video. I'm writing a book set in the late 1890's and my character is to play the lead in The Roaring Girl. She is 5'11" and very much not the tiny white female of the late-Victorian stage. When I found out about this play I knew it was perfect for my character. Crazy how it took multiple wars for women to be able to wear pants in respectable society, but even now people try to use pants as a weapon. They are easier to get around in, easier to work in, and THAT'S why males have fought so hard to keep them from women. If she's wearing pants, she can do what she needs doing instead of being at the mercy of some male who has no intention of helping her. We don't want to wear men's clothing--just make our own easier to live and work in. I love my dresses, and I LOVE MY PANTS!!!!!
Dr Kat, I just want to tell you how much I enjoy your utube posts! I love history and you help me get my history fix! Haha! Yes explain perfectly! Keep up the good work! And have your husband on more, you guys were super cute!
Really good. Loved this video. Thank you.
I love the Roaring Girl. Do one on Doctor James Barry or the White Ship?
YES!!! I was just thinking of Dr. James Barry- what a legend! I assume you've read Rachel Holmes' biography, "Scanty Particulars"? If not, I seriously recommend it! :)
She reminds me of. Moll Flanders
In that picture she looks exactly like Mrs. Frizzle from the magic school bus! She's fascinating.
I think ove found my new tattoo to go opposite my joan of arc 😊 thanks kat. Love all your output and channels
Very interesting. It may be a reflection of women's lives of this period, I wonder what it was like for women of this period to simply leave their homes and move about a city without a man to accompany them, the limitation on women in general whatever their status. Even in our enlightened times how many women might be reluctant to enter a pub on their own? It might be an ignorant question but could a woman even go to church on her own back then?
That is a good question. I recently told my children that there was a time when neither of my grandmothers could vote! We still have a way to go but we have made progress.
I would like you to take a look at ladies like the Pigeon Lady (Bird Lady) in Mary Poppins. I would like to know more about people such as she.
"..our kings and Queens, our politicians, and some of our most prolific and depraved criminals"
The venn diagram is a perfect circle
Moll Frith really seams to have been quite a character. Dressing up and pretending to be a man. clearly could give women a freedom they did not have as women.
Are there any stories of heros or villains during the times of plague?
I actually came to meet Mad Mall, aka Mary Frith, in a rather roundabout way, for a real, flesh and blood historical person. I met her in a fantasy book by Michael Scott Rohan. His Mary, or Mall, as she goes by in the book, sounds very like the historical Mary who I later looked into out of piqued curiosity. I love that in his depiction of “Mad Mall Frith”, Mary lived on and I think she’d have been tickled to know that she was still remembered in writing in the 20th century. For anyone interested they’re a series of books, the first one is called “Chase the Morning”, and I’ve no idea if they’re still in print.
I have an exam on the Roaring Girl in an hour and an half and this has been very helpful!
As much as I have learned about English history in this period of time, this was something new! Very entertaining and informative! I am interested in hearing about the the philandering of Queen Victoria's son, Albert, whom later became. King of England. I have seen a photograph of a customized chair prostitutes used to "satisfy" the king in, as because of his portly girth aka obese, he would reside in this unusual chair which I certain, Dr. Kat, you have also seen. It was wooden, painted green with gilt and decorated. It resembled that of an OBGYN's table!😳😲😉
Did you ever make a video on these pamphlets? If not, I'd love to see this made!
Please do a video about the pamphlets I would love to know more and wonder was the a LGBTQ community at the time . History is full of women dressing as men to achieve greatness. I would love to see some video about them too. Like the Pope who was really a woman.
Hi Dr. Kat , Im curious You seem so polished in Your presentation of these Historical records and facts - Are You improvinationally presenting , following an Outline or Guide of Bullet Points infront of You where we cant see ?
Amazing either way . Its seems seemless , flawlessly n fluidly fluently recounted and relayed ??
- WoW Thank You , Historical facts are definitely Important +💟
Interested in how , in London the Poor ' and Rich hung out outside casted society ' and how Tipping and Social Reform came about with the English Garden Tea Service , I heard started the change of Societal caste differences , without covert slavery practices , services with Gratuity . Did The Wealthy Provendentials induct that into Society Civilization Standard , by Fashion , Example n Show ? Supposedly thats how Tipping started ? And Interested in The Fanny Mae (??) .. And also how The EnglishMan got past the troll bully abusors dictating society design , within the English language - Not being able to lie easily in English as Universal language . They ' are known for dry witty prim n proper humor and satire n sarcasm , maybe that gave them leeway , legroom for sustaining neutrality and Civility and not resort n cause to the heathenism , paganism and tribalism | like The Haughty ' RedBlue blooded hot tempered Scots ? +🤍
You truly drag me through this lockdown, my dear! 👏🏻👌🏻 👸 🎉
I think I love this character. Is there further reading? BTW, James I, based on my study had no business commenting on gender variants or sexuality. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I find it kind of funny that James I who was supposedly very effeminate got pissy about women wearing men’s clothing. You’d think someone who defied traditional gender stereotypes might not have been so uptight about it.
Hello Dr.Kat ! I enjoyed watching the video about roaring girl !
Crazy as it may sound, I would LOVE you to cover William Shakespeare himself *smile*
What is a pander?
An outdated term for a pimp.
Fascinating story beautifully told, Dr. Kat. Mary's reckless and licentious behaviour, bizarre dressing, apparent disregard for the conventions of the day, and at least one episode of temporary 'insanity' requiring hospitalization, are very suggestive of bipolar affective disorder, or at the very least a personality disorder.
Even when I am weighed down by one of a thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to, you make me smile.
I’d love to see a film about her!
Regarding women dressing as men, I believe that many of those who did, did it to allow themselves more freedom and to perhaps prevent unwanted attentions from the male sex. Dressing as a man would allow a woman to go places and to do things that would otherwise have been denied her. In Sherlock Holmes' "A Scandal in Bohemia" the woman in the piece dresses as a man and accompanies her boyfriend to what we would call a nightclub and watches the floorshow of dancing women. She also dresses as a man in order to inconspicuously follow Sherlock Holmes to his apartment on Baker Street. Of course this is much later than the period of which you speak but it is an instance of a woman dressing as a man to do things that a woman (or, at least, "a lady") otherwise wouldn't do.
Those pamphlets were interesting, because where I come from and in our dialect, we still say 'Her's a Mon-Ooman' meaning a butch or unfeminine lady. This does not mean an assertive woman, we rather like them, nor is it a put down, just a woman who looks or behaves in a masculine way. I wonder if our perceptions go back to this
Can you please tell me where that is? That's a way of describing a butch that I've never heard?
I studied medieval women dressing as men within my history degree and really enjoyed this.
I would have been harassed and said to be insane for sure. I am not even a little bit feminine. Ive looked at the way women dressed during these periods and said I would never put up with wearing all of that ridiculous uncomfortable clothing. Plus it was not at all practical!
I'm reminded of a song from the 1920s, "masculine women, feminine men, which is the rooster, which is the hen?" Unconventional dress is still threatening some people all these centuries later!
I'd be interested in a video on the pamphlets.
Ahhh ... found it!
The dynamics of cross dressing are an interesting dive into the human psyche. As a woman, I would be hard pressed to see the appeal (as a man) of donning woman's accoutrements (bra, girdles, stillettos) as a fashion statement, without fetshism being an aspect of the practice. And that is solely because these things are uncomfortable... and I as a woman only wear these types of items when I want to play up my natural born femininity and sexual power, because there is power in such expression and at times, the discomfort may be either a statement or a gifting dependent on the circumstances. In my own personal opinion, if I ever dressed in a true masculine style- it would be because of a statement about sexual preference with that act being a visual cue OR an intellectual choice signaling men to keep a distance from me while still garmering attention. Conversely, I am saddened by the fact that many men rail at the idea of wearing a suit of clothes, when it is one of my chief pleasures to see the men in my family look debonair occasionally. It reveals a lot about a man that he would skip over his varied clothing options (Astaire comes to mind) and raid the panty drawer. As we live in an age where fetishism is promoted and lauded, even in young children- I have to wonder how effective the sumptuary laws were at restraining what seems to be a relatively common slant.
Hi Cat, I am enjoying your videos. Nothing more to say.
I would be very greatful if you could do a video about the young man posing as QE 1st illegitimate son, Please? I really enjoy your voice. Thank you so much.
trying to remember if i finished Defoe's Moll Flanders. It was quite boring, as she's completely unsympathetic - has no feelings eg for her children. It's not that she's nasty, so much as heartless in the literal sense, which is in fact boring. Don't recommend, i''m afraid. The Dekker play sounds fun tho
I am pretty new here and Im enjoying your videos. I would like to hear about the young man who claimed to be Queen Elizabeth the First's son.
Fascinating and funny.
I would love to know more of Kat Ashley. Where did her devotion come from?
Hi Dr. Kat:
What are the books on your bookshelves?
Catlangdon
I've got to wonder if this was an example of a trans man before we had the language, or just a very roughish, chaotic woman with an unfair lot being born to such a time. So funny how James I was bisexual yet so angry at those who bent gender and the norm.... Maybe he just hated women, a là Maelus Maloficarum (sp?)
I believe so because the Bible says there’s nothing new under the sun, true scripture.
Mommy issue vibes ....
I'm thinking possibly a butch lesbian.
Honestly as much as I would love to say that Mary was either a butch or trans... given that those aren't terms that she would have any idea about or use to identify with, it's not right to do that now.
Out of curiosity, does any of this use of the word roaring apply to the roaring twenties?
When I was a girl, dresses were the norm for girls, and the only time we wore trousers was in our own yards and homes. If we went in public... it was a dress.
That wasn't that long ago. I remember 2 girls being sent home for wearing pants in elementary school.
I’m 73 years old and I was sent home from elementary school to change my capris for a dress!
I’m in my sixties and had to wear dresses to school. It wasn’t until my senior year the the dress code allowed for females to wear pants and I live in the Pennsylvania snow belt.
I had to wear dresses to school until I was 11, in 1971. I protested that it was indecent for girls to have to do bicycle-in-the-air exercises with only their underwear visible, the skirts always fell over our heads when we were upside down. So, I petitioned the school to have this rule overturned, and won. I still mostly wear skirts and dresses, by it’s by choice, not because of someone’s rule.
I would love to hear you talk about Margery Kempe, if she's not too early for you!
I'd love to hear your take on Queen Joanna of Castile..or Queen Juana the Mad...
Thanks,Kat.
And here I thought DeFoe knew a Moll Flanders- maybe this Moll was inspired by a Moll Cut-purse 🧐🧐🧐 ❤❤❤ this video
Could you say something about Gentleman Jack?
Yes, that would be really interesting!
I liked Mary even before you started talking about her, I guess her picture of her smoking gave her not following the norms back then gave it away 😂
I'd very much like a talk about Tom Jones and a comparison with the world of his time and how the book reflects it.
I really enjoy this channel!