Rules of a Regency Courtship
Rules of a Regency Courtship! Many courtship rules helped to squelch the possibilities of romantic passion. But why?
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A Regency Guide to Courtship
Courtship and marriage were serious steps for middle class men and women, usually not embarked upon until their middle to late twenties, older for men and younger for women.
Continue reading →What’s wrong with a little romance?
So what’s wrong with a little romance? According to a regency era perspective, nearly everything. It’s Valentine’s Day and there’s romance in the air. What’s wrong with a little romance, right? Especially in the pages of a good book. A regency romance; the hero and heroine looking longingly into each other’s eye, declaring their deepest love for one another. She weeps as she lets him know how she was waiting for this moment, as everyone … Continue reading →
By the Book: Mr. Collins’ Proposal
Was Mr. Collins’ proposal as outrageous as modern readers believe? Once a gentleman survived the rigors of a courtship and wished to propose—and it was only the gentleman who could extend an offer of marriage—he had the dubious advantage of having very clear procedures to follow. He did have some choices, though. He could offer a proposal in person or more formally, in the form of a letter. Making an offer of Marriage In Emma, Robert Martin used … Continue reading →
Conduct during Courtships in Jane Austen’s World
Nothing, especially courtships were straightforward in Jane Austen’s World. Squelching, not encouraging courtship Many of the rules governing conduct in courtship helped squelch the possibilities of romantic passion. These included forbidding the use of Christian names, paying compliments, driving in carriages alone together, correspondence, and any kind of intimate contact. If a couple was observed violating any of them, onlookers would immediately assume a proposal had been offered and accepted. Even mild displays of friendliness could … Continue reading →