Marriage Law and Practice in the Long Eighteenth Century

Rebecca Probert is an Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, teaching family law and child law. She has published widely on both modern family law and its history.

• 1. Introduction; 2. The misunderstood contract per verba de praesenti; 3. The myths of 'informal' and 'common law' marriage; 4. The little-considered marriage practices of non-Anglicans; 5. The unacknowledged regularity of clandestine marriages; 6. The eventual passage and actual terms of the 1753 Act; 7. The unappreciated success of the 1753 Act; 8. The unexplored judicial interpretation of the Act; 9. The overlooked response of non-Anglicans; 10. Conclusion.

'The book itself is both accessible, and notable for the care taken in constructing and delivering its arguments … In conclusion, this book is both an enjoyable and an enlightening read. It is characterised by a clear sense of purpose, articulate delivery, and the immense and meticulous scholarly effort upon which it is based.' The Journal of Ecclesiastical Law Society