Higher classes The financial and political facets marriage pertained were the key considerations in choosing a spouse for higher classes. It was a customary practice for noble families to sign contracts which betrothed their children in advance. The announcement of a marriage was preceded by negotiations regarding the practice of
dowry. This concerned the contribution of cash and goods provided by the father of the bride. It also involved an exchange by the groom’s father of a
jointure, which acted as a pension guaranteeing money, property and goods that would secure the maintenance of the bride if she were to become widowed. A clear distinction was made between the first-born sons and their younger brothers. This was because the eldest son was the
heir apparent and had the responsibility of ensuring the continuum of the lineage. Women were expected to marry and perform their primary roles of being obedient wives and child bearers. As they were restricted to marriage and motherhood, women relied heavily on their husband for financial support and economic security was deeply sought. Such an example includes
Elizabeth Howard, whose father-in-law agreed to settle several manors as her jointure. The fifth
commandment “Honour thy father and mother”, reiterated this social value which saw children accepting marriage arrangements by their parents without much objection. Even in the case of parental death, instructions were left to advisers which described the conditions under which the children were permitted to marry. In a period where there were high mortality rates among adults, this was often specified in wills. According to a primary account in 1558, the will of Michael Wentworth detailed that a significantly lower dowry would be provided to disobedient daughter who were not “advised by my executors, but of their own fantastical brain bestow themselves lightly upon a light person”. Despite children being required to obey their parents and remain loyal to the family, evidence suggestion that there were cases where disobedience would occur. Such as in the example of Thomas Thynne of Longleat and Maria Tuchet, who in 1594 married in secret.
Middle classes The arrangements for marriage among the middle class varied according to the means of capital and property families had owned. Those of which had owned land followed similar pressure as the nobility, although to a lesser extent. The strategy of planning marriages ensured however much wealth the family possessed was preserved and would be passed through the inheritance. The custom of dowries and jointures was still prevalent; however, the economic resources exchanged were less in value. Although the children had some say in their choice of spouse for marriage, the custom of
endogamy would rarely see one marry below their social standing. According to an account form Harrington regarding arranged marriages, he thought the method was not “so heavy on the lower sort, being better able to shift for themselves, as upon the nobility and gentry”. Evidence suggests that in 1514 a Lancashire girl married a man she disliked, stating “but only for the fear of loss of my land I would never be with him an hour”. Similar to the higher classes, younger sons would have to make their own living before acquiring the means to get married and establish a family. This would be achieved through migrating to new towns or lands in search for employment opportunities. However, the eldest son would have stayed in the household of his upbringing and received an inheritance upon the death of the father.
Lower classes The children of those who were at the bottom of society enjoyed considerable freedom in choosing their spouse. Between the ages of seven and fourteen, the children of the poor often left home in order to find employment. This was usually in the form of domestic servants, living-in laborers or apprenticeships, in which individuals would serve a master within a specific trade. After having accumulated sufficient funds that would maintain a family, they were able to make their own decisions regarding their choice of spouse. However, this resulted in the prospect of marriage being delayed, as it prolonged the necessity to stay within a trade and complete a term of apprenticeship. This saw the
average age for marriage among the poor to be during their middle to late twenties. It allowed couples to be financially equipped to establish a household. Women were required to support their husbands with their occupation and some even continued to work themselves as servants or wet nurses. The expectation was that the woman would run the household in the absence of the husband and bear his children. It was also vital for women to be equipped with domestic skills, as that saw them fulfilling the duties of an obedient wife Although interest in marriage among the wealthy was of great importance to family and kin, the incentive to interfere was limited among the lower classes. This was because the crucial component in controlling and arranging marriages required some form of exchange in property or other means of wealth. It meant that lower classes were not concerned with the custom of providing dowries and jointures, since contributions would be limited. Consequently, this lack of economic leverages allowed marriages among the poor to reflect a more personal affair, rather than a socially concentrated decision involving family and kin. == Courtship ==