Jane Austen wrote: “A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.” I still think some girls behave this way today. Although during the 19th century, marriage was about the only future a woman of breeding might look forward to, unlike today’s women.
There is a lot of confusion regarding marriage during the Regency period. How, where and who might marry whom are just the beginning questions. One question that is frequently asked on many on the writing loops I belong to:
Did a ship’s captain have authority to marry people?
The answer is no. Although ship’s captains have performed many a marriage, (especially in romance novels), a ship’s captain did not have the authority to marry people. These marriages would not be recognized by the courts, the Church of England, or Society.
Marriages were performed by clergymen only, and unless a special license was obtained, in a church or chapel. This according to the marriage act of 1753, which was set for in order to help prevent clandestine marriages from taking place. From then on couples had to comply with one of three types of marriage: Banns, License, or Special license. Fathers were trying to protect their daughters from being lured into marriage by some guy who was only after her fortune. It was all complicated stuff. Next time I’ll explain marriage by banns.
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