MEET YOUR MATCH

Finding a spouse was the name of the game

To think of marriage among the upper classes in Regency England probably conjures up images of bossy mothers foisting their daughters on prospective suitors at every opportunity – and this isn’t entirely wrong. Once young ladies had been officially introduced into society they needed to secure a suitable husband by joining the marriage market, the throng of single ladies and gentleman looking for a spouse.

Finding the right husband or wife involved many factors. Marriage offered an opportunity to climb the social ladder and form or strengthen family alliances, so marrying below one’s station was not ideal, especially for gentlemen. If a lady did marry someone who was of a higher social status, not only would her status rise but so would her family’s by virtue. Also, if the eldest daughter made a good marriage, it gave her sisters who were due to join the marriage market a better chance too.

Wealth was also an important factor because daughters, unlike sons, did not inherit their father’s estate and so their financial security often depended on their future spouse. A good dowry boosted a lady’s prospects and securing a wealthy husband also meant that she would have the means to take care of her family if needed. For gentlemen, marriage was all about producing an heir to secure his family line and finding a wife who was capable of managing the household.

Although there was a lot of pressure to find a good match in terms of wealth and social status, love was not always out of the question. If couples were desperate to be together but their parents disapproved, they always had the option of eloping to Scotland, where the law on marriage was not as restrictive. In particular, the Scottish village of Gretna Green became a popular destination for elopements.