Pirates called pirating "the sweet trade," and it is not surprising that girls and women throughout the centuries took part in it. After all, they already went disguised as boys into the navies and armies around the world. But one can't help but wonder when and if they dressed like a female in something like a pirate girls costume.
Take Jeanne de Belleville for example. According to legend, here was a married woman with two kids living in a happy home. She had friends at court and moved in the highest circles. She was certainly every bit of a lady.
Then in 1343, when England was at war with France, some unknown person in the French court accused her husband of siding with the English. With no way to clear his name, he was quickly imprisoned and executed. His head was sent from Paris to Nantes, where it was displayed on the city wall.
Not surprisingly, Jeanne was devastated and set out for revenge. She sold her castles, land and jewels. With the proceeds, she manned and equipped three large ships with her then teenage sons.
Cruising the coast of Normandy, Jeanne attacked French vessels, killing everyone in sight. It was said that she could often be seen, sword in one hand and torch in the other, standing in the ruins of a Normandy village.
There does not appear to be a record of what happened to Jeanne after 1345. Once she quenched her thirst for vengeance, she may very well have indulged in the sweet trade leaving a bloody trail behind. But, given her background, it was probably very unlikely that she was mistaken for a man.
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