Uncertain Unions

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In Road to Divorce, Lawrence Stone examines the complexities of marriage prior to the Marriage Act of 1753, highlighting the legal ambiguities surrounding the institution. Through detailed case studies, he illustrates how courting and marrying couples navigated these uncertainties, often finding themselves in morally and legally contradictory situations that led to personal crises. The narratives include unwise courtships, prenuptial pregnancies, forced marriages, bigamy, and hasty clandestine unions, often regretted later. These captivating accounts delve into how individuals adjusted their sexual conduct and matrimonial aspirations in response to an unclear legal landscape. Stone also traces the shift in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, where personal desires for love and affection began to overshadow family interests and parental control in the quest for a spouse. Drawing from court records, he reveals this moral transition through the voices of men and women, presenting vivid, human stories that illuminate the era's social dynamics. The work offers a compelling exploration of the evolving nature of romantic relationships and marriage, showcasing the intricate interplay between law, morality, and personal choice.