Gardiner optimistically supposes one to “‘it could strike all of them which they could be more financially, no matter if faster expeditiously, hitched during the London area, than in Scotland’” (312)
Before the enactment in the 1753 out of An act toward Ideal Blocking away from Clandestine Marriage, often called “Lord Hardwicke’s Act,” lovers you will get married out of societal analysis once they can find an ordained clergyman to perform the service. Due to the fact of numerous clergymen was in fact willing to perform personal marriage ceremonies having good percentage, clandestine ous, incestuous, or connected with minors) was a challenge (Outhwaite 51-54; Brick, Unclear 25-34). A female whom joined with the for example an excellent sham matrimony you will quit their particular looks and you can assets in order to their unique apparent spouse after which feel left solitary and you will affected, sometimes even pregnant with a bastard youngster. Marriage ceremonies of minors have been valid, considering new parties got attained an average legislation ages of consent to own marriage, which had been simply fourteen having boys and 12 having girls (Priestly v Hughes 909). The trouble that have particularly marriages was which they occurred over the brand new have a tendency to really-based arguments of your nearest and dearest. Legislators looked for to prevent all of the instance challenging marriage ceremonies by imposing laws against personal ceremonies.
Lord Hardwicke’s Act provided marriages has to take put in good chapel following publication away from banns (a notice read aloud on three consecutive Vacations on parish chapel, announcing a designated relationship and providing the opportunity for objections) or after the activities got received another permit. New Operate as well as so long as events beneath the period of twenty-you to definitely (the age of bulk) who have been hitched of the unique permit requisite parental consent under control to the marriage getting legitimate.
Lord Hardwicke’s Act is why prepared elopement which have Georgiana Darcy. Georgiana ended up being 15 years dated, a but after dark common law period of agree, thus a valid marriage could have been it is possible to, and you may an easy count when the Georgiana’s guardians, Colonel Fitzwilliam and you may Fitzwilliam Darcy, had provided its consent to the fresh new fits. Throughout the absence of for example consent, there have been one or two you can easily ways continuing. The first would-be to the few when deciding to take up property inside a new parish, where interfering affairs could not see them, and also have the banns continue reading about three consecutive Sundays in the absence of objecting guardians. The needs of Lord Hardwicke’s Work would up coming getting found, and also the relationships may have took place.
Heiresses, eg Georgiana, you certainly will still be seduced of their loved ones and you will hitched from the fortune-hunters
The following approach is to try to hop out the latest legislation out-of England and you may marry inside the a location in which Lord Hardwicke’s Work was not relevant. Brand new Act’s requirements was indeed considered formalities hence applicable simply in the England. While the lovers you will avoid the formal laws and regulations by marrying outside of The united kingdomt, of a lot went along to Gretna Green when you look at the Scotland, only along side English edging for this reason. Although Wickham’s scheme is defeated when Georgiana confessed new elopement agreements in order to her sibling, the risk so you’re able to Georgiana suggests the newest inadequacy away from Lord Hardwicke’s Work to safeguard up against clandestine relationship.
Austen together with reveals the continuous probability of clandestine marriage enabled dishonest men so you’re able to seduce young women, even when the guys had no intent to bring through with the brand new assured marriage. Whenever Wickham afterwards operates away from with Lydia Bennet, that is merely 16, the first thought that the happy couple have eloped to help you Scotland soon gets means to fix the brand new realities away from Lydia’s precarious condition. Jane Bennet writes to help you her cousin E: “‘Imprudent due to the fact a good and you can our bad Lydia might possibly be, we have been today anxious to be in hopes it offers took place, to have you will find however, continuously need to help you anxiety he is maybe not attended Scotland’” (302). Mr. This tip are a mention of odds of the couple’s taking on home in the London and achieving the fresh banns read on about three straight Weekends inside their the new parish chapel. It certainly are slower nettsted her than simply going to Gretna Green, however,, since the Mr. Gardiner suggests, maybe a less costly type marrying a small versus adult consent. Towards the recovery away from Lydia’s family relations, the happy couple do ultimately marry during the London area. Simply Mr. Darcy’s intervention conserves Lydia out of becoming seduced toward hope out-of relationships following quit.