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This Jane Austen blog brings Jane Austen, her novels, and the Regency Period alive through food, dress, social customs, and other 19th C. historical details related to this topic.

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Eloping During Jane Austen’s Time

September 13, 2007 by Vic

The Marriage Act of 1753 made it increasingly difficult for upper class men to “marry down,” and for women to marry men outside their rank. To get around this law, a desperate couple could obtain a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury, or elope to Gretna Green in Scotland, where English law held no sway and marriage at 16 was legal.

Over the years many couples would run away to Gretna Green for their marriages to take place. The ceremonies were usually performed by one of the village blacksmiths who in those days were at the heart of the community and held in suitable regard. Even today, many of the Ministers refer, in their services, to the similarity of a blacksmith joining 2 metals over the anvil to the marriage ceremony joining 2 people as one.

The following is an excerpt from Pride & Prejudice when Lizzie learns of Lydia’s foolish elopement with Wickham. Later, the reader learns that the couple has not married, but were living without benefit of marriage, an even worse situation:

She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes could not speak another word. Darcy, in wretched suspense, could only say something indistinctly of his concern, and observe her in compassionate silence. At length, she spoke again. “I have just had a letter from Jane, with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from any one. My youngest sister has left all her friends — has eloped; — has thrown herself into the power of — of Mr. Wickham. They are gone off together from Brighton. You know him too well to doubt the rest. She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to — she is lost for ever.”

Related articles:

  • My post on Mary Darby Robinson’s wedding, and more information about the Marriage Act
  • See Jane Elope
  • Marriage and the Alternatives: The Status of Women, Republic of Pemberley
  • Gretna Green Marriages

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Posted in jane austen, Marriage | Tagged Gretna Green, Marriage Act of 1753, Marriage Mat, Regency Elopement, Regency Marriage | 1 Comment

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  1. on March 28, 2008 at 11:36 Sense & Sensibility’s Miss Morton & Marriage « Jane Austen’s World

    […] Eloping During Jane Austen’s time […]



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