I recently discovered and old tradition in the Borders (of England & Scotland for non-Bits members!) that couples could have a trial marriage for a year, and simply part if it didn't work out. If it resulted in a child, either party could still back out of the marriage, but they had to take care of the child.
And only a few days ago, I found that it seems my ggg grandparents got married the same day as the christening of their youngest child (the 7th!), my gg grandfather... I wonder if they got married because she was dying as a result of the birth?
I think the view we have of the 'upright' Victorian era actually comes from the hypocrisy of the middle and upper classes - nothing changes! Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls' is a pretty good example of this, as are most of Dickens' novels, and time and time again I come across examples of so-called Victorian 'morality'!!!
