Eine grosse Leichtsinnigkeit? Als Frau in Männerkleidern im Solddienst

Abstract

This case study looks at an episode in the life of Magdalena Bleuler, a woman from Zurich who served as a mercenary soldier in France between 1694 and 1696, wearing men’s clothes. On her way home, she revealed herself to Marx Escher – a well-off man in service of the church and father of her godfather. Consequentially, several other authorities got involved. Their proceedings reveal that the apparent scandal was none: Crossdressing and war services were criticized, but securing Bleuler’s livelihood was the main focus. Finally, she was even bold enough to claim a promise of marriage at the ‘Ehegericht’ that a relative of the local bailiff had given her while they were serving in France.