"You Think Me a Bold Cheat": Mary Carleton, Counterfeit Princess
2 days ago
- #17th-century
- #con-artist
- #literary-history
- Mary Carleton, also known as the 'German Princess', was a 17th-century figure accused of bigamy and impersonating royalty to marry John Carleton.
- Her life story is documented in numerous pamphlets and broadsides, including her own autobiographical defenses, which blend fact and fiction.
- Carleton's trial in 1663 for bigamy ended in acquittal due to lack of evidence, but she was later hanged in 1673 for theft.
- Her exploits inspired a publishing boom, with over a dozen works about her case, contributing to the early development of the English novel.
- Carleton's self-fashioning and manipulation of her public image have drawn comparisons to modern con artists like Anna Delvey.
- Her story reflects the economic and social constraints on women in 17th-century England, where marriage was often a means of financial security.
- Carleton's ability to perform different identities and her theatricality made her a fascinating figure, embodying the era's fascination with deception and self-invention.
- Her legacy includes influencing literary characters such as Moll Flanders and serving as a precursor to modern portrayals of female con artists.