Tag: bigamy

16th Century history, 17th Century history, Early modern history, James I to Restoration

Three degrees of separation: alternatives to divorce in early modern England

As part of the History of Parliament’s blog series on marriage, Dr Paul Hunneyball, assistant editor of the Lords 1558-1603 project, considers the options available four centuries ago to those whose marriages had broken down… Contrary to popular belief, Henry VIII never got divorced. In sixteenth-century England, the option of divorce as we now understand it didn’t exist. The only way to end a marriage … Continue reading Three degrees of separation: alternatives to divorce in early modern England

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18th Century history, House of Lords 1660-1715, Social history

The ‘marriage’ of Aubrey de Vere, 20th earl of Oxford

Today, our post is another inspired by our recently-published volumes on the House of Lords. In this blog the editor, Dr Ruth Paley, describes the infamous matrimonial affairs of the 20th earl of Oxford… Sometime in the early 1660s, Aubrey de Vere, the 20th earl of Oxford, married the popular actress, Hester Davenport.  Or did he? There is little doubt that a wedding took place; … Continue reading The ‘marriage’ of Aubrey de Vere, 20th earl of Oxford

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