Wife-selling: A Practice Lost In History

Explore the fascinating and often misunderstood phenomenon of Wife Selling during the Victorian Era in this comprehensive video. Our deep dive into the historical, social, and cultural factors behind Wife Selling sheds light on this unique practice.

Marriage has rarely been an equal venture, especially in the Christian religion. Even going back to the origins of the practice in Leviticus, women were seen as the chattels, or property of their husbands. This core philosophical structure led to marriages being seen as very much akin to a business transaction throughout history. This held true whether the marriage was being negotiated between the families of the peasantry, where dowries and gifts were often exchanged between the families of the betrothed, or wealthy and noble families, who often traded their children for money and power.

Whilst the betrothed parties were often consulted about whom they wanted to marry and often sought permission from their parents if they found somebody they wanted to marry, the final decision lay with the patriarch of the family. Once the marriage was completed, the woman was then her husband’s responsibility and property. He was expected to care for her and in return was to be obeyed in all things. This was upheld in medieval society by church courts who could criminally punish a woman for speaking her mind. Scolding was actually a punishable offence under a church court.

#wifeselling #history #victorian

In this video, we cover:

The origins and historical context of Wife Selling.
The reasons that compelled some couples to engage in this practice.
The methods and legality of Wife Selling during the Victorian Era.
Debunking common myths and misconceptions surrounding this historical practice.

Join us as we uncover the historical intricacies of Wife Selling and gain a new perspective on this intriguing chapter in Victorian history. Don't miss out on this educational and informative exploration of a bygone era.

Sources:

Ashton, John (1899), Social England Under the Regency, Chatto and Windus

Bryce, James (1901), Studies in history and jurisprudence, Volume II, Oxford University Press

Clark, Anna (1997), The Struggle for the Breeches: Gender and the Making of the British Working Class, University of California Press

Finlay, Henry Alan (2005), To have but not to hold (illustrated ed.), Federation Press

Gibson, Colin (1993), Dissolving Wedlock, Routledge

Hill, Bridget (1994), Women, Work & Sexual Politics in Eighteenth-century England

Pateman, Carole (1988), The Sexual Contract, Stanford University Press

Stone, Lawrence (1990), Road to Divorce: England 1530–1987 (illustrated, reprint ed.), Oxford University Press

Thompson, E. P. (1991), "The Selling of Wives", Customs in Common, Merlin Press

[scallywag]

My wife and I are Christians and since this is supposed to be a Christian thing, we’re going to the market tomorrow. I wonder how much she’ll get for me…

[jod]

Pretty sure the narrator ment abrahamic religion's, not just Christianity.

[imanoldurham]

The Subtextuality here implies, the basic immorality of any commercial exchange, something absolutely unreal.

[adamnetzen]

Well-researched it seems, and well narrated. Please go more easy on the music though.

[wildhoneyhome]

This is NOT what we as believers take marriage from the bible. I think this should be explained more, because “specially in the Christian religion” is not it

[bellalinzell]

Why are all the comments about ruining the image of marriage, and defending cheistianity? This video didn't say all victorian marriage was bad. It simply pointed out that due to religious, economic, societal and cultural norms, it was near impossible to get divorced. Wife selling was clearly one work around.

No one is claiming that all men beat and sold their wives. Legally, men DID own their wives to some extent. A husband could have their sane spouse commited to an asylum for life. They could legally stop a mother seeing her kids, simply because the father had ultimate rights. So yeah, the poor had no rights, poor women even less! This isnt about the sanctity of marraige, it's about how society shouldn't control marraige, or use it as punishment, as in the debtors prison example.

And as for being christian, nowhere does it state it is SOLELY a christian belief. Other religions and cultures did similar things. He does put forward a stong argument as to how the christian church in england, contributed to the dire situation. They are partially responsible for creating the rules and culture which trapped women and men in loveless, destructive relationships. People were desperate and needed a way out of marraige!

[nathanlepage]

Wife's are not property according to the Bible🤦🏻‍♂️

[jackcorrigan]

Especially in the Christian religion.... huh

[robertkubrick]

My wife is Filipino. I went the traditional route and asked her parents for her hand in marriage and they said Okay. That was it? My wife still complains that her parents just gave her away! Sometimes she says Sold. Didn't ask a single question of me, unlike her sister's suitors who got grilled. If a family gathering gets boring, all I have to do is remind my wife. My wife also says the family asks how I'm doing every time they see her, they never ask how she is doing? Even with all that, I don't think she would want to be traded.

[praiseanyanwu]

GOD LOVES YOU ALL!!❤❤The time is near, and now is when the true worshipers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth St.John 4:25-26! Hod seeks a true relationship with you, not a religion. A divine and intimate one. He loves you, he cares for you, and he cherishes you! I love you❤

[Gretsch]

I hope you will do videos and other parts of the world such as India Africa and Asia on how the family structures were organized And the rights of women there because some of it is so brutal in Savage that people would be shocked.

[kspades]

Of the Christian religion? God did not co-sign the degrading of women to property. Marriage was created by God to be beautiful, but just like any human we pervert the good of God.

[Thomas-yrln]

So could you put one on layaway like Walmart ?

[Vilexen]

You couldn't even sell a modern women today. You'd have to pay to get rid of her, the same way you have to pay for your garbage removal. Only difference to have your wife taken these days would require a bank loan.

[gailainsley]

Sooo glad this era is over. Praise God. 😂👏🙌👏

[kaijukojin]

Who all wants to bring this back for both genders? LMAO I think it will fix a lot of things if we do it equally!

[ahmedp]

Good old days.
Imagine wives as NFTs today?

[rogermckenzie]

great feminist view of history. there is always more to the story....

[marcusowens]

No sir, it is much more difficult to be a Muslim wife than a Christian wife throughout history

[tormikanourse]

So they been savages, and still are... wow...😮