The hit Netflix show Bridgerton is set to release its 5th season in 2027 and promo has started to be released. The show follows the romance of the Bridgerton families eight children, focusing on a different child each season. The show is well known for its focus on love in all its various forms, which another Her Campus writer talks about in her article published earlier this year.
This season will follow the romance between Francesca Bridgerton (played by Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza) following the death of Francesca’s husband in the last season. While the couple has been subtly hinted at since the end of season three, some fans have expressed shock and disappointment that the lead couple of the upcoming season will be sapphic. While many claim that a queer couple is not historically accurate or realistic in 19th century London, sapphic women have always existed. Here are some of the historical queer women that you may not know about.
Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689)
Queen Christina of Sweden was crowned in 1650, though she abdicated the throne in 1654. She had an impressive education for any person at the time and was able to speak eight languages. The queen was known for often wearing men’s clothing and expressing her distaste for marriage as she claimed a husband would limit her own power in court. In her younger years, Queen Christina was known for having an intimate relationship with her lady-in-waiting, Countess Ebba Sparre. Upon her death she was buried in the crypt at St.Peter’s Basilica in Rome, one of only three women to be buried there.
Julie d’Aubigny (1673-1707)
Born to a wealthy nobleman in France, Julie d’Aubigny was educated amongst boys, dressing in masculine clothing and excelling at fencing. Julie was the star of the Paris Opera for years, debuting in December 1690 under the name La Maupin. Although she was quite talented, Julie was at odds with the law sometimes, being pardoned by the king of France twice. One of Julie’s more famous stories involves a merchant’s daughter that fell in love with Julie during one of her performances. When the girl’s family discovered this, they had her sent to a convent which she later escaped with the help of Julie who posed as a lay sister and set fire to the convent.
Anne Lister (1791-1840)
Known as the “first modern lesbian”, Anne Lister of Shibden Hall took over her family’s estate after her father’s death. She was educated, well traveled, and made a place for herself in the male dominated coal industry. She kept diaries from the time she was fifteen that documented her love affairs with various women, written in a code she herself had created. In 1832, Anne met Ann Walker and the two fell in love, marrying two years later. While the marriage was not legally recognized, the women lived together happily. After Anne Lister’s death, Ann even inherited the Lister estate, an act typically reserved for male relatives.
Mabel Hampton (1902-1989)
Mabel Hampton was a black activist, dancer, and open lesbian who advocated for black and gay rights. Mabel found her way to New York and became a performer during the Harlem Renaissance. She also worked as a domestic and hospital worker for a large part of her life. Active in her community, Mabel volunteered for both black and lesbian/gay organizations. In 1932, Mabel met Lillian Foster and the two lived together from 1943 until Lillian died in 1978. Mabel and Lillian were enamored with each other and while together the two women often referred to each other as “husband and wife”.
Watch ‘Bridgerton’ season five
The first season of Bridgerton aired in 2020 and was an immediate success, as were the following seasons. Bridgerton became, and still is, one of the most popular shows on the Netflix streaming platform and has millions of views globally. As someone who has watched every season at least once, I can say that the show is fun, dramatic, and showcases a variety of different forms of love. As a lesbian, I can say that I have not been excited for any season as much as this one. I believe it’s so important for the queer community to see themselves represented on the screen, especially in such a widely known series. Francesca and Michaela’s season deserves just as much love and support as previous seasons, even if it’s not what viewers expected. Queer love is not something new, and the women I’ve discussed in this article show us how important it is that Bridgerton has a sapphic storyline front and center in their upcoming season.
Remember to tune in to season five of Bridgerton in 2027 to watch Francesca and Michaela’s story!