Wife selling

Wife Selling

Wife selling refers to the historical practice in which a husband would sell his wife to another man. This practice was most notably observed in England during the 17th to 19th centuries, although it has occurred in various forms in other cultures and times. The act of wife selling was often a response to marital breakdowns, economic hardship, or social pressures, and it was sometimes seen as an alternative to divorce, which was difficult and expensive to obtain.

Historical Context

Wife selling in England emerged during a period when legal divorce was largely inaccessible to the lower classes. The practice was not officially sanctioned by law, but it was tolerated to some extent by society and authorities. It often involved a public auction where the wife was led by a halter or rope and sold to the highest bidder. The sale was sometimes seen as a form of consensual separation, with the wife agreeing to the arrangement.

Legal and Social Implications

While wife selling was not legally recognized, it was sometimes used as a de facto method of ending a marriage. The practice was rooted in the patriarchal view of women as property, and it reflected the limited rights and autonomy afforded to women at the time. Despite its informal nature, wife selling was occasionally recorded in parish registers and newspapers, indicating a level of public acknowledgment.

Cultural Perceptions

The cultural perception of wife selling varied. In some communities, it was viewed as a pragmatic solution to marital discord, while in others, it was seen as a scandalous and immoral act. Literature and art from the period sometimes depicted wife selling, highlighting its controversial nature and the social commentary it inspired.

Decline and Abolition

The practice of wife selling began to decline in the mid-19th century as legal reforms made divorce more accessible and as societal attitudes towards marriage and women's rights evolved. The Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857, which established civil divorce courts, played a significant role in reducing the occurrence of wife selling by providing a legal alternative for ending marriages.

Global Perspectives

While wife selling is most commonly associated with England, similar practices have been documented in other cultures. In some societies, women were exchanged or sold as part of dowry arrangements or as a means of settling debts. These practices, like wife selling, often reflected the subordinate status of women and the commodification of marriage.

Also see

• Marriage in England
• Divorce in the United Kingdom
• Women's rights
• Patriarchy
• History of marriage