The Victorian era in England was a priggish prison term . At least on the surface — which is one intellect London police arrested avidcross - dressersFrederick Park and Ernest Boulton in 1870 . The subsequent trials the two man faced became one of England ’s more scandalous affairs , and is the subject of a recent episode ofRidiculous chronicle , a podcast co - hosted by Noel Brown and Ben Bowlin .
Park and Boulton ( aka Fanny and Stella , severally ) came from halfway - social class mob and were immobile friends . The young twenty - somethings both held estimable business office jobs in the day , but execute indragin the evenings . The men " were widely known in the London field community as being very successful hybridization - actor’s assistant , " say Noel . This was not so unusual at a clip when adult female were not permit to perform onstage . But unlike their peer , who typically reserved their distaff attire for performances , Park and Boulton swank their womanly closet around township whenever they felt like it . Sometimes , they would appear in men ’s wear , but also put on make - up .
The pair flirted with powerful world , and Boulton – the more feminine - looking at of the two – even struck up a romance with English aristocrat Lord Arthur Pelham Clinton . So serious was the affair , that Boulton wore awedding ringand had calling cards made with " Lady Stella Pelham Clinton " engraved on them .
But some found the duo ’s behavior unacceptable . In 1869 , a time whensocial changes were occurringthat many found unsettling , local legal philosophy enforcement began shadowing the two . One dark , after about a year of surveillance , Park and Boulton dolled themselves up to attend a playing period at the Royal Strand Theatre with two others . During the execution , they even used the women ’s lavatory . As the group was leaving the theater , police arrested Park and Boulton .
The two were ab initio excite with"personating a woman,“a underage discourtesy . But after raids on their homes , where police examine personal photos and letters , among other items , they were commove with the more serious crime of anal intercourse , at the time punishable by imprisonment . Police subject the men to mortifying aesculapian mental testing to try on and prove they had engaged in unconventional sexual relations . But these tests were inconclusive . Police also attempt to corrupt people to testify in Margaret Court that the gentleman had charter in these acts but to no avail .
The men were subjected to several trials , which deteriorate into circuses ; newspapers dubbed Park and Boulton the " He - She Ladies " and spectators vied to get a tone at the span . Tragedy ensued when Lord Arthur Pelham Clinton was summon to attest ; in brief before the court date , he was notice dead . The official cause of expiry was listed as scarlet feverishness , but many believe he committed suicide .
jurisprudence enforcement never could try out the two had engaged in an illegitimate sex act , even though in private Boulton was isolated - time gay woman of the street . When it came time for the panel to deliberate , it took them just 53 minute of arc to ascertain the serviceman not hangdog . Those in the gallery yelled , " Bravo ! "
The two resumed their lives , perform together and separately . Boulton even perform on Broadway as a female impersonator for a while , delighting American audiences . Over clock time , both of their stars faded . Parkemigrated to the U.S.and died there in 1881 at the age of 34 . Boulton continued perform with his brother until his own destruction in 1904 at 56 .
