In England nineteenth century, divorce was expensive. Therefore, wives sold at auction

In England nineteenth century, divorce was expensive. Therefore, wives sold at auction

Categories: History | Society

Now just try to infringe on woman rights — feminists instantly horns pooblomayut But in the old days things were different. After marriage ladies, in fact, became the property of their husbands. And they were doing whatever they please. In England, for example, when wives were tired, they could simply sell them. And it's not about the deep middle Ages, and of the XVIII-XIX centuries.

In England nineteenth century, divorce was expensive. Therefore, wives sold at auction

The procedure was designed on the principle of auction. The husband brought the wife into the square, holding the leash, the woman climbed on stage and began the auction. The lady went to the one who proposed the highest price. Such an event in paints described in the novel by Thomas hardy "the Mayor of Casterbridge", written in 1886. The main character sells his wife, then the pangs of conscience drive him to the grave.

In England nineteenth century, divorce was expensive. Therefore, wives sold at auction

French engraving of 1820, about the sale of wives in England.

One of the earliest registered sales took place in 1733 year, as it is known due to the fact that Newspapers actively covered such events. A Samuel Whitehouse auctioned his faithful Mary Whitehouse for one pound sterling. The buyer, Mr. Griffiths, had to "take a woman with all its shortcomings."

Another wife was put on sale with a starting price of one penny. It is not surprising that single farmers almost came to blows, wanting to get it. In the end, we agreed for five shillings and six pence.

In England nineteenth century, divorce was expensive. Therefore, wives sold at auction

The most popular this practice was used in the period from 1780 to 1850. It all started with the fact that in England in 1753 passed the Law on marriage (up to this point the unions of men and women is not recorded). After the law came into force, the official divorce was very expensive, divorce could afford only wealthy people. And selling wives in the square was the easiest way to get rid of each other. The authorities did not approve of it, but almost always turned a blind eye.

In England nineteenth century, divorce was expensive. Therefore, wives sold at auction

English nobleman, heading to Smithfield market with the aim of becoming a bachelor and at the same time make a little money.

In most cases, the sale of wives was done by mutual consent. Usually the wife bought her own lover for a nominal fee. It often happened that after trading all three went to a nearby tavern to celebrate a deal. In 1830, in Manchester, there was a funny episode. The man started trading, but then stopped them, deciding to leave it as is. This wife whipped his cheeks with her apron and exclaimed, "I must be sold, I want change!"

Keywords: England | Auction | Marriage | Divorce

Post News Article

Recent articles

Cute kittens made of felt from the needlewoman Elizabeth Delektorskaya
Cute kittens made of felt from the needlewoman Elizabeth ...

Elizaveta Delektorskaya, an artist from Severodvinsk, creates charming felt seals. All works are made in a special felting ...

Close-up animal portraits
Close-up animal portraits

Photographer Brad Wilson gets close to his models. Very close. Unsurprisingly, his new project is called Proximity. This is a ...

Mr. Bean starred in almost all the films, there is evidence
Mr. Bean starred in almost all the films, there is evidence

Mr. Bean is perhaps one of the funniest characters in the history of television and cinema. The hero performed by the British ...

Related articles

10 facts about the United Kingdom that will surprise you: classes, boring food and a strange sense of humor
10 facts about the United Kingdom that will surprise you: ...

How much do you know about the United Kingdom? No, not about England, but about the whole of Great Britain as a whole? I bet you've ...

The London "gin Epidemic", or As drunkenness nearly destroyed the Kingdom
The London "gin Epidemic", or As drunkenness nearly destroyed ...

England was repeatedly devastated by the epidemic, therefore, plague, cholera and smallpox until the late 19th century was ...

Do not take skinny wives and other rules of family life in Russia
Do not take skinny wives and other rules of family life in Russia

Creating a family is a responsible activity. If today we live in a civilized world and adhere to certain rules of morality, then in ...