Sudbury historian researches women and crime

Morning North9:00Summer U: Women and Crime

Janice Liedl is a history professor at Laurentian University. She's using the court system to discover details about the lives of women who went through the court system during the 17th and 18th centuries in England. She spoke with Markus.

Laurentian University historian Janice Liedlis poring through court documents from 18th century England to better understand the lives of ordinary citizens.

"Ordinary people are invisible in a lot of the archives," said Liedl, who discovered a wealth of information in the Proceedings of the Old Bailey, transcripts from the criminal trials in London, England from 1674 - 1913.

"I'm trying to answer what mattered to the women in the 18th century about their lives, what mattered to them," said Liedl, whois considering writing a book documenting some of the stories.

One of the talesshe uncovered is about 10-year-oldMary Broadbent, who lived like Cinderella with her father and stepmother.

"She literally lived in the cinders," said Liedl.

In 1726Broadbent was charged by her parents forstealing a dress and some other clothes, but defended herself by calling upon neighbours to vouch for her reputation.

Mary Broadbent won the case, and the judge ordered her parents to pay support while she was raised by relatives.

Liedl said society can learn fromthis story.

"Ithelps us understand people [who are] victims of assault or victims of sexual shaming todaywhy they're fighting back and, more importantly, how they can fight back," she said.

Liedl has also looked into the life ofbigamistMary Carleton, who had several husbands, including a shoemaker and doctor.For a decade she pretended to be a German princess living in England before she was convicted for stealing and eventually hanged.

"It's kind of addicting to go in the archives," said Liedl, who said anyone can search online to see if past relatives may have been convicted, tried or victims of crime in England.

"You find all sorts of stories. whether humorous or heartbreaking, that tell us about the ordinary people of the 18th century," she said.