What you don't address here is cross-dressing with a social purpose in mind. I think you'll find a fair amount of post-Black Death English ecclesiastical writing with regard to young women of the upper classes dressing in men's garments to attend tournaments in small groups. Among others, John Kelly makes some good references to this in his book "The Great Mortality" about the Plague and its after effects.
While the moral powers that be found such behavior appalling, and suggested it underlined the strong moral decline in society (women's dress across the board at this time is the subject of much clerical handwringing - even when it's the more familiar, decidedly feminine sort).
Obviously, in the era immediately following the horrors of the Black Death, society is upended dramatically in response to the disaster, so women feel they have greater freedoms than they might have previously. Even so, it's worth genuine examination of the concept that women in some cases and societies openly dressed in male costume for reasons other than disguise or transgender issues.
I suppose this might, as may holidays with elements of "misrule" where cross-gender dressing was de rigeur, be considered a theatrical aspect, but I believe you need to consider the social aspect of it as well.
For myself in the SCA, as someone who fences, I make use of the "tournament groupie" references to justify my own late 14th century male garments on the field. Myself and several members of my household have also appeared at heavy weapons tournaments in our short cotes, and enjoyed the role playing game that ensued. My friend Duchess Eanor in the Midrealm has been known to do the same thing in a spirit of play - which is, I believe, what this sort of cross-dressing is all about.
While there seems to have been much diapproval and displeasure on the part of religious leaders of the time, the reaction from the court and others of the upper classes appears to have been positive.
It is perhaps notable that we do not hear of merchants' and tradesmens' wives and daughters imitating this sort of behavior, although I will admit that my research has focused on gentry. But there is generally a somewhat more conservative social bent in terms of gender roles among the rising middle classes during the period, so the lack of ready references is not surprising.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-12-29 03:31 am (UTC)While the moral powers that be found such behavior appalling, and suggested it underlined the strong moral decline in society (women's dress across the board at this time is the subject of much clerical handwringing - even when it's the more familiar, decidedly feminine sort).
Obviously, in the era immediately following the horrors of the Black Death, society is upended dramatically in response to the disaster, so women feel they have greater freedoms than they might have previously. Even so, it's worth genuine examination of the concept that women in some cases and societies openly dressed in male costume for reasons other than disguise or transgender issues.
I suppose this might, as may holidays with elements of "misrule" where cross-gender dressing was de rigeur, be considered a theatrical aspect, but I believe you need to consider the social aspect of it as well.
For myself in the SCA, as someone who fences, I make use of the "tournament groupie" references to justify my own late 14th century male garments on the field. Myself and several members of my household have also appeared at heavy weapons tournaments in our short cotes, and enjoyed the role playing game that ensued. My friend Duchess Eanor in the Midrealm has been known to do the same thing in a spirit of play - which is, I believe, what this sort of cross-dressing is all about.
While there seems to have been much diapproval and displeasure on the part of religious leaders of the time, the reaction from the court and others of the upper classes appears to have been positive.
It is perhaps notable that we do not hear of merchants' and tradesmens' wives and daughters imitating this sort of behavior, although I will admit that my research has focused on gentry. But there is generally a somewhat more conservative social bent in terms of gender roles among the rising middle classes during the period, so the lack of ready references is not surprising.
Yours,
Countess Gwen, Meridies