An excerpt from the trial of Elinor Crane, who was arrested in Middlesex in 1693 on suspicion of…

pyper1887:

yeoldenews:

An excerpt from the trial of Elinor Crane, who was arrested in Middlesex in 1693 on suspicion of burglary. A witness claimed one of the burglars was a woman in men’s clothing, and Elinor had previously been seen in the area dressed as a man.

“But the Court asking her why she went in Mans Apparel, the Prisoner replyed, She went to Wooe a Widow. Upon the whole Matter the Jury brought her in not Guilty.”

(source: Old Bailey Proceedings: Accounts of Criminal Trials, April 26, 1693...