Following on from our discussion earlier on in the week about the harp-lute, we thought it interesting to consider an etching by caricaturist James Gillray, titled Harmony Before Matrimony, which features a young lady playing a full size harp. Gillray was born in Chelsea, London in 1756 and began publishing his works i
What do you get when complex, brilliant writers come together in a relationship? Here are 8 literary love affairs and marriages — for better or worse.
Inquiring readers, Today is Valentine’s day, a perfect time to revisit some of Jane Austen’s most romantic and memorable quotes. I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means…
Gretna Green and marriage records features information about Gretna Green as shorthand for any place where eloping couples could be swiftly married.
Edmund Blair Leighton (1852~1922) The Accolade God Speed The End of the Song Lady Godiva Alain Chartier A Little Prince likely in Time to bless a Royal Throne Call to Arms The Wedding Register Ribbons and Laces for Very Pretty Faces The Request Sweet Solitude The Latest News Market Day Str...
There’s a whole lot of marrying going on in Jane Austen’s novels. Among the major characters of her six major novels, at least nineteen couples tie the knot. One wedding was so singular that it cou…
These illustrations are full of love and wonderful humor
What happened when Jane Austen's heroines and heroes were finally wed? Marriage is at the centre of Jane Austen's novels. The pursuit of husbands and wives, advantageous matches, and, of course, love itself, motivate her characters and continue to fascinate readers today. But what were love and marriage like in reality for ladies and gentlemen in Regency England? Rory Muir uncovers the excitements and disappointments of courtship and the pains and pleasures of marriage, drawing on fascinating first-hand accounts as well as novels of the period. From the glamour of the ballroom to the pressures of careers, children, managing money, and difficult in-laws, love and marriage came in many guises: some wed happily, some dared to elope, and other relationships ended with acrimony, adultery, domestic abuse, or divorce. Muir illuminates the position of both men and women in marriage, as well as those spinsters and bachelors who chose not to marry at all. This is a richly textured account of how love and marriage felt for people at the time-revealing their unspoken assumptions, fears, pleasures, and delights. 17 color illus.
Samuel Johnson described a second marriage as a: triumph of hope over experience So what about a first marriage, how did you find a soul mate? Well, at the start of the Georgian era marriage, espec…
By User:Vassil (File:Sépulcre_Arc-en-Barrois_111008_12.jpg) [CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/lice Writing this makes me think of that song, "Thank God for unanswered prayer." How true, that we sometimes think a person is perfect for us, but in...
Sophie Dorothea von Eltz-Kempenich (17th April 1670 - présent) is a Prussian noblewoman, electoral princess and a Herzogin von Mainz due to her uncle (Philipp Karl von Eltz)'s inheritance as the Prince-Archbishop-Elector of Mainz. A woman of outstanding beauty, she was much revered by her fellow courtiers on account of the famous wit for which her family possessed as being one of the influential families in clerical service. At the peak of her life, Dorothea held great sway over the court throug
Richard Westall, Wanstead House Loretta reports: The clipping from the Annual Register sent me off in 2NHG search of more, as you’d ex...
The Marriage Act of 1753 was enacted to require a formal ceremony of marriage because clandestine marriages achieved by crossing over the Scottish border
For once, he has met a lady less inclined to marry than he is. How unfortunate that she is the only bride he will consider. George Clavering is much too young to think about getting married. Yes, his older brother and even his younger sister have managed to tie the knot, but he has plenty more years of play and sporting events ahead of him before he need consider such a thing. Even matchmaking becomes a sport when gentlemen bet on the Season's successes or failures in the club. He will not give them an opportunity to bet on him. Furthermore, why settle down when there are young women like Lady Alice who liven the sport of matchmaking with friendly wagers? Lady Alice St. Clair is the fifth daughter of the Duke of Carr, and as she is independently wealthy and may do as she pleases, she has no reason to wed. She certainly has no intention of doing so. If the marriage mart offers nothing more than the unattractive boors who have presented themselves at her door for the past five seasons, it should hardly surprise her parents she cannot be persuaded to the altar. True, George Clavering has a full head of dark hair and a smile that is as mischievous as it is attractive, but no lady of character would change her mind for one above-average specimen of the male race. For both, what began as a friendly bet between two bored guests at a ball turned into an earnest desire to help their proteges find happiness. And if some deeper feelings should stir in George to win Alice's heart, then he has no choice but to dampen them. After all, Lady Alice has sworn she will not marry, and George has applauded her decision. For him to try to weaken her resolve now would be unsportsmanlike.
Doctors Commons Loretta reports: [Note: Because a couple of my English readers have asked about my letting characters get married at h...
Sparks—and stockings—fly when an interview for a husband turns into a game of forfeits, and a scandalous lady and one handsome rogue learn how very right they
From the desk of Katie Patchell: Dear readers, what I am about to say will have you thanking your lucky stars: if this was a space for spoiler-filled reviews, I would have written a word count of …
We follow on from our last post and have a look at the wedding itself. So, just over two weeks after leaving her parents in Brunswick, Princess Caroline was to marry Prince George with her assumpti…
