An early seventeenth century writer describes a not uncommon scene in French cities of the time: … "Rogues ... and others, who have all day been cripples, maimed, dropsical, and beset with every sort of bodily ailment, come home at night, carrying under their arms a sirloin of beef, a joint of veal, or a leg of mutton, not forgetting to hang a bottle of wine to their belt, and, on entering the court, they throw aside their crutches, resume their healthy and lusty appearance, and, in imitation of the ancient Bacchanalian revelries, dance all kinds of dances with their trophies in their hands, whilst the host is preparing their suppers. Can there be a greater miracle than is to be seen in this court, where the maimed walk upright?"

QUESTION: How widespread was this practice of feigning disability in early modern Europe, and how did authorities respond?

Lyn H. Lofland, World of Strangers_ Order a…, loc. 953