Scandalo e diffamazione. Donne e polizia a Firenze nell’età di Pietro Leopoldo

Abstract

This article is based on the analysis of the documentation relating to the activity of the Florentine Police at the end of the eighteenth century. In this period is founded the “Casa di Correzione”, where the so-called “donne scandalose” would be shut up. These are the women who lead an irregular sexual life. Documents allow to reconstruct several cases underlining the role of parental relationships and the behaviour of the Police institution. It uses the “Casa di Correzione” only in extreme situations, when irregular behaviours are repeated and already well-known. In fact authorities knew that reclusion could be source of defamation and shame and so they used it carefully and preferred other instruments.