Were There Any Real Highwaywomen, and Did They Dress Up As Men?

Created by Sally Wainwright, Disney+’s drama Renegade Nell is a historical fantasy that follows the adventures of a tavern-keeper’s daughter who becomes a highwaywoman after being framed for murder. But did highwaywomen really menace England’s roads? Why would they have taken to holding up travellers in real life? And did these dandy highwaywomen dress in men’s clothing?

Source: Were There Any Real Highwaywomen, and Did They Dress Up As Men? | HistoryExtra