Marriage in Italy, 1300–1650 - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521554020 ISBN 13: 9780521554022

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1998

Synopsis

It is often said that marriage is a central or basic institution of society. This was perhaps more true in the past, or true in different ways, in periods when many marriages were arranged by parents, when brides were accompanied by dowries, and when marriage was used symbolically to represent the union of nuns to Christ or of rulers to their states. This volume examines four of the main areas of importance in the history of marriage: first, the wedding itself, its economics and trappings; the laws that aimed to regulate aspects of marriage; intermarriage among social groups; and, finally, the consequences of marriage for women. A number of contributions to the book set out to challenge current historical assumptions about marriage - as regards, for example, family marriage strategies or the effects of poverty and endogamy on marriage patterns in remote mountain communities.

About this title

Book Description

Marriage in the European past was a controlled social institution: parents arranged marriages, the interests of the family were put before those of the individual, and women were expected to be married. This book sets out to explore the consequences of the institution of marriage, especially for women, and challenges many current historical assumptions.

Review

'... excellent collection of essays ... fresh and surprising.' The Times Literary Supplement

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521554020
• ISBN 13: 9780521554022
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 316
• Editor: Dean Trevor, Lowe K. J. P.