Why they disguised themselves as men in the 18th century
It it was only in 1917, with the establishment of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, that women were officially authorised to enter the Armed Forces as uniformed troops.
Before then, women were prohibited from entering the ranks but some were so desperate to join they risked life and limb by disguising themselves as men.
Vivien Morgan is the author of a forthcoming book about the secret lives of women in the eighteenth century. She talks to Martha about those women who were determined to throw off their petticoats and pull on the trousers.
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