A History of Marriage

A History of Marriage paints an often surprising picture of this most public, yet most intimate, institution, a complex tradition that includes arranged marriages, dowries, same-sex marriages, self-marriages and child brides. The wedding ceremony, too, has worn many faces- 'spousals', common before the mid-twelfth century in western Europe, required no priest, but only the privately proclaimed consent of the couple; the iconic white wedding dress did not emerge until the late...
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A History of Marriage paints an often surprising picture of this most public, yet most intimate, institution, a complex tradition that includes arranged marriages, dowries, same-sex marriages, self-marriages and child brides. The wedding ceremony, too, has worn many faces- 'spousals', common before the mid-twelfth century in western Europe, required no priest, but only the privately proclaimed consent of the couple; the iconic white wedding dress did not emerge until the late eighteenth century and not until Queen Victoria wore a lavish white gown in 1840 did it become truly fashionable.
But how did a royal or aristocratic marriage differ to a poorer person's? How strong are the similarities between the way in which married people lived together in the past and today? What did getting married mean to ordinary people a hundred, or five hundred, years ago? How long did an average marriage last and what were a couple's alternatives to staying together? This fascinating book sheds light on a fundamental human institution and the forces that continue to shape it. Marriage, in all its loving and unloving, extravagant and modest forms, comes alive here through Elizabeth Abbott's research, enthusiasm and curiosity.