Victorian Era
During the Victorian era of time, courting was more of a career move than a romantic interlude. Therefore, both sides, male and female, took courting very seriously not to lead the other on unnecessarily. From the time the female was very young, a woman was well groomed for a role in life as a good wife and mother. She was also taught to play music, dance, and to be a conversant about light literature of the day to keep male callers entertained. The term " coming out" was used for women when they had completed their education, and were officially ready for marriage. This usual
Then they would be allowed to take walks by themselves under no supervision. Until 1823, the legal age in England for marriage was 21 years--for men and women. And finally, they were allowed to visit each other (male visiting female under most circumstances) to keep each other company. The wife was not likely to marry into an upper class, nor was a male to do so with a female. Once he was introduced to a lady at a party for the purpose for dancing, he could not automatically resume their acquaintance on the street. Another thing was that it was also illegal to marry a deceased wife's sister. The gentlemen must have been re-introduced to the female and then only upon permission of the female. At that point, a woman would but a whole new wardrobe just to impress male gentlemen. After 1823, a male could marry as young as fourteen without parental consent, and a girl at 12. First they would speak and only speak for a few minutes. Although, most girls married between the ages of 18 and 23. As years passed though, marriages seemed to become more tolerable and result in tight bonds for each other resulting in a deep love. Once married, all possessions we reverted to the husband, and a female was not allowed to leave a will behind her for when she died. Therefore a chase for marriage became a serious challenge.
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