A History of Matrimonial Institutions, Vol. 2 of 3

This volume offers a sweeping survey of how marriage has been shaped by law, religion, and custom across England and the United States. Beginning with the earliest “wife‑purchase” arrangements, it traces the shift toward free, consensual unions and the growing influence of the church in formalizing vows. The author then follows the emergence of civil marriage, detailing landmark statutes from Cromwell’s 1653 act to the Hardwicke reforms of the 18th century.

The second half turns to the Atlantic world, comparing New England’s magistrate‑led ceremonies with the varied practices of the southern and middle colonies. It explores how colonial societies regulated courtship, pre‑contracts, and even slave marriages, while also charting early attitudes toward separation and divorce. Throughout, the work balances legal analysis with cultural insight, revealing the complex forces that have defined partnership and family life.