Francina Broese Gunningh

Francina Broese Gunningh, also known as Frans Gunningh Sloet (1792- fl. 1814), was a Dutch soldier, in service of the French, Prussian and Dutch army.

Gunningh Sloet was born in Kampen as the illegitimate daughter of Antje Broese, and worked as a domestic. During a trip back from Paris to the Netherlands, she dressed as a man, which was common for female travelers to avoid harassment during journeys. During the trip, however, she was arrested by the French military police as a suspected deserter after having failed to provide sufficient identifications papers, and was forcibly enlisted in the French army. She deserted, and instead enlisted in the Prussian army. When she was founded in the chest, her gender was discovered, and she was forced to leave service. She returned to the Netherlands, and enlisted in the Dutch army. She served in combat during the Siege of Kampen, the Siege of Coevorden and the Siege of Deventer. In 1814, she was engaged to be married to Alida Landeel, and added the title "Lord of Amerongen" to her name. She was arrested for using a false noble title, but escaped prison. When she was arrested, she was forced to undergo a medical examination, which revealed her gender. She was sentenced to three years in prison for fraud.

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