Princess Seraphina: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:08, 13 August 2011

Princess Seraphina was the alias for butcher John Cooper of Number 11, Eagle-court, the Strand, who was a popular London cross-dresser. Cooper’s friends referred him as ‘her’ or ‘her royal highness’. He would was described as indistinguishable from a woman, often wearing a white gown and scarlet cloak, fluttering a fan and would curtsey.

In 1732 Princess Seraphina brought a case at the Old Bailey against Thomas Gordon, an unemployed servant, for stealing his clothes and jewelry at knife point in Chelsea Fields, a popular gay cruising ground. Cooper’s clothes were described as fine masculine apparel. The thief then changed into Cooper’s clothes, saying, if he brought a case against him he would accuse him of sodomy and paying for his services.

In court, Princess Seraphina was described as being lady-like at all times, there was a risk that she could be tried for a capital crime. Princess Seraphina called her ‘ladies in waiting’ to be witnesses, who were both dramatic, humorous and well liked.

Such characters were called ‘Molls’ and visited Molly Houses or Vauxhall Gardens.

People were often prayed upon for their clothes which were often their most valuable possessions.

37. Thomas Gordon , was indicted for assaulting John Cooper Field in Chelsea Parish, putting him in Fear, and taking from him a Coat, a Waistcoat, a pair of Breeches, a pair of Shoes, a pair of Silver Shoe-buckles, a Shirt, a Stock, a Silver Stock-buckle, and 4 1/2 d. in Money , May 30.
from Old Bailey Online

Princess Seraphina did not win her case and was not prosecuted for sodomy, little was heard of her after this event.

External links

http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t17320705-30&div=t17320705-30&terms=Princess%7CSeraphina#highlight
http://www.georgianlondon.com/a-mollys-map-of-georgian-london

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-'''Princess Seraphina''' was the alias for butcher '''John Cooper''' who was a popular London cross-dresser who lived in Earl’s Court. Cooper’s friends referred him as ‘her’ or ‘her royal highness’. He would was described as indistinguishable from a woman, often wearing a white gown and scarlet cloak, fluttering a fan and would curtsey.
+'''Princess Seraphina''' was the alias for butcher '''John Cooper''' of Number 11, Eagle-court, the Strand, who was a popular London cross-dresser. Cooper’s friends referred him as ‘her’ or ‘her royal highness’. He would was described as indistinguishable from a woman, often wearing a white gown and scarlet cloak, fluttering a fan and would curtsey.
-In 1732 Princess Seraphina was bold enough to bring a case at the [[Old Bailey]] against '''Thomas Gordon''', an unemployed servant, for stealing his clothes and jewelry at knife point in Chelsea Fields. The thief then changed into Princess Seraphina, saying, if he brought a case against him he would accuse him of [[sodomy]].
+In 1732 Princess Seraphina brought a case at the [[Old Bailey]] against '''Thomas Gordon''', an unemployed servant, for stealing his clothes and jewelry at knife point in Chelsea Fields, a popular gay cruising ground. Cooper’s clothes were described as fine masculine apparel. The thief then changed into Cooper’s clothes, saying, if he brought a case against him he would accuse him of [[sodomy]] and paying for his services.
 In court, Princess Seraphina was described as being lady-like at all times, there was a risk that she could be tried for a capital crime. Princess Seraphina called her ‘ladies in waiting’ to be witnesses, who were both dramatic, humorous and well liked.