A court is not a theatre, and you will be removed – so declared legendary Irish judge Christopher Palles in 1903 when an unidentified woman in a blue dress clapped during a case in his court. See account below.
Although mid 19th century Ireland was approvingly noted by some commentators for its absence of women spectators in court, by the turn of the 20th century things had changed – although young females could often find themselves excluded by judge or registrar from cases involving scandalous evidence!
Story from Tatler, 25 February 1903. Image of Chief Baron Palles from the Dublin Warder and Weekly Mail, 14 February 1920.
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