THE ‘CRIMEN NEFAMDUM’ THAT WAS SODOMY. A comparative study on homosexual legislation and prosecution before, during and after the French occupation in the Dutch cities, 1730 – 1840.
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2024-06-15
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nl
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Homosexuality, though normalized in contemporary Dutch society, was historically subject to severe persecution. This thesis examines the development of legislation and prosecution of sodomites in the Dutch cities of Amsterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht between 1730 and 1840, particularly before, during, and after the French occupation. Influenced by the Reformation, sodomy was regarded as an extreme form of gluttony and harshly penalized. A pivotal moment occurred in 1730 with the discovery of a sodomite network in Utrecht, sparking widespread persecution across Dutch cities. During the French occupation, post-Revolution legal reforms briefly introduced more liberal attitudes, yet sodomy was re-criminalized following their withdrawal. Enforcement varied regionally, with Amsterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht displaying differing patterns in surveillance and punishment. Data analysis shows evolving punitive measures and underscores class-based disparities, with lower social classes disproportionately affected. Sodomites often met in public venues such as taverns, which were closely monitored. The nineteenth century saw early discourse on sexuality and identity emerge.
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