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Does anyone know what the rules in the medieval age were in regard to women posing as men, and men posing as women? Were there any particular laws regarding such affairs?

I don't know the period-ness of cross dressing other than in times of war, but I've certainly seen some pretty SCA men in gowns.

Several years ago, in the old midrealm, before Ealdormere was a region (before Principality or kingdom even) we had one young man whose person was female. Unfortunately, his behaviour within the SCA was inappropriate and he ended up being banned. One of the few times I've heard of someone being banned from the SCA. It was not very pleasant at the time.

Well, I haven't done much research on the topic, but I'd bet my right greave that if anyone had a problem with it, it was the Church.

I know there were many cases of period fighting women dressing as men, but that's to be expected because it can be a challenge fighting in twelve layers of dress. I've known women to do it, but they train just to handle their clothing with some degree of grace. I know from experience, little on the field is more embarassing than tripping on your own clothing or gear and falling on your arse. I did it twice last war, and I felt like heading back to my village both times.

As to men, there are few societies in human history that were ok with their men dressing up as women. One notable exception is those boys in late-period theaters who played women, as it was considered improper (and even obscene) to display an authentic female on the stage.

As to our current middle ages, I have personally known a handful of biological females who, while they didn't cross-dress in the mundane world, had male personae, and one male who had a female persona (although I cannot speak to his mundane habits, as I don't know him very well). As a side note, I have also known men who play masculine personae but cross-dress in their mundane lives. There's no accounting for people... Anyway, the way the laws are written in most kingdoms is that you are the gender it says on the form to register your name with the college of heralds. Whether you can actually convince them to call your fuzzy a** "lady" is another matter, but officially you will be treated as a lady, as long as the people doing the treating know they're supposed to. However, in most kingdoms a man with a male persona could not take a man with a female persona for his consort come time for crown. I think that law is stupid, but that's just me. (Someday when I have a pointy hat...)

Hope that helped.

So sayeth the beltless warrior

I've seen a few women fighting in their skirts ad stuff.

As for me, I cross dress. Since I am a girl in real life, I wear guy piriate clothes because I have no dresses. I've never seen a guy cross dress as a women, but I have seen men in kilts. =3

I think it would be perfectly fine, at least it would be in the kingdom of AnTir. ^_^

As far a history goes, at the time of the Inquisition it was blasphemy for women to don the garments of men...I guess the most known example of that was Joan d'Arc. Cauchon tried to use that law to convict her after the heresy and witchcraft charges began to fall through...even though it called for much milder punishment than burning at the stake...but anyway. That was around...1400s? France, Italy, and Spain were all Catholic, and England was too until around 1500 or so.

I don't know if he still does it, but Efenwealt used to occasionally become GiGi. He makes a lovely lady, I have to say.

There's also a lady who's persona is male, so in the SCA she's Lord Rohan. 3nodding

My personal preference is for people to stick with their biological gender when they choose a SCAdian persona. Key exception being women who want to fight, as 1) I understand it's a pain to fight in dresses and 2) women wouldn't have fought in the true middle ages (generaly!) so why force them to do so in true garb for women of the middle ages?
On the other hand, I wont judge or say anything to someone who is cross dressing. My two best girl friends refuse to wear dresses whether or not they are fighting, though they both have a female persona so it's more a matter of historical inacuracy than gender bending. Although one is looking into, I think it is, Mongolian attire so she can wear pants and be period.
As a side note, I understand kilts are period for men and have seen several men who wear one very well.