La Maupin

Hand in hand, we fled under the stars, the convent burning behind us.

I'd lied my way in, faked her death by putting a dead nun in her bed, and set the place alight. For her love.

I was charged with kidnapping, bodysnatching, and arson. Sentenced to death! Not being the dying sort, I fled. King Louis XIV pardoned me eventually.

I've sung on Parisian stages. Duelled men for a lover's kiss, and bested them with my sword. My extraordinary life of adventure was forged in the impetuous heat of young love, and tempered in a burning nunnery.

-Julie d'Aubigny

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Thank you for reading!

I HAD A GO AT A DRABBLE!

As you might already know, this is a real person, who lived an extraordinary life. As a young woman, she really did fall in love with another young woman, whose parents sent her to live in a convent to keep the girls apart. Julie followed her there, got in by pretending she was there to take vows, and then busted the pair of them out using a recently deceased nun as a decoy and setting the place on fire. (Badass, amirite??)

The relationship apparently didn't last, and is anyone surprised? Who could possibly keep up with this woman? This was only one early daring escapade in Julie's life. There would be many more. She really did become an opera singer. She really did duel men and win. And she really was pardoned by Louis XIV.

I have had so much fun writing about Julie through the eyes of her girlfriend. We know a lot less about her, so I made a lot of shit up, and I guessed or wildly invented a few details. I told the story in three short parts,

here:

here:

and here:

I hope you enjoy reading these even one half so much as I enjoyed writing them.

Now... who shall I do next?

Thank you again! See you tomorrow!