Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen's England by Brenda S. Cox ~ Blog Tour ~ Guest Post

 Hello, my friends! I have Brenda S. Cox here with her new book Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen's England. Such an interesting topic! Please give Brenda a warm welcome!

Fashionable Goodness

Christianity in Jane Austen's England

By Brenda S. Cox

The Church of England was at the heart of Jane Austen's world of elegance and upheaval. Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen's England explores the church's role in her life and novels, the challenges that church faced, and how it changed the world. In one volume, this book brings together resources from many sources to show the church at a pivotal time in history, when English Christians were freeing enslaved people, empowering the poor and oppressed, and challenging society's moral values and immoral behavior. 

Readers will meet Anglicans, Dissenters, Evangelicals, women leaders, poets, social reformers, hymn writers, country parsons, authors, and more. Lovers of Jane Austen or of church history and the long eighteenth century will enjoy discovering all this and much more: 

     • Why could Mr. Collins, a rector, afford to marry a poor woman, while Mr. Elton, a vicar, and Charles Hayter, a curate, could not? 

     • Why did Mansfield Park's early readers (unlike most today) love Fanny Price? 

     • What part did people of color, like Miss Lambe of Sanditon, play in English society? 

     • Why did Elizabeth Bennet compliment her kind sister Jane on her "candour"? 

     • What shirked religious duties caused Anne Elliot to question the integrity of her cousin William Elliot? 

     • Which Austen characters exhibited "true honor," "false honor," or "no honor"? 

     • How did William Wilberforce, Hannah More, and William Cowper (beloved poet of Marianne Dashwood and Jane Austen) bring "goodness" into fashion? 

     • How did the French Revolution challenge England's complacency and draw the upper classes back to church? 

     • How did Christians campaigning to abolish the slave trade pioneer modern methods of working for social causes? 

Explore the church of Jane Austen's world in Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen's England.

 

Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen’s England, by Brenda S. Cox, tells the story of the church in Austen’s novels and in Austen’s world. Here’s a taste of one of the many topics in this wide-ranging resource.

 

Women as Religious Leaders in Austen’s England

Guest Post by Brenda S. Cox

All of Jane Austen’s clergy are men: Mr. Collins, Mr. Elton, Edmund Bertram, Edward Ferrars, Henry Tilney, and others. In Austen’s Church of England, only men could be ordained as clergy. But when I visited Bath a few years ago, I got to hear women preaching at both Bath Abbey and Christ Church. Women have only been ordained as Church of England priests since 1994 (though some other countries in the Anglican Communion began ordaining women earlier). 

In Jane Austen’s England, however, some women were already ministering in public ways. 

The Countess of Huntingdon

I discovered the Countess of Huntingdon quite by accident as I was walking through Bath. Her lovely chapel is on the way to St. Swithin’s Church, where Austen’s parents were married. The Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, founded in 1765 (ten years before Austen’s birth), is now the Museum of Bath Architecture. But you can still see how the chapel was set up.

Caption: The Countess of Huntingdon built houses for herself in places like Bath, with large attached “private” chapels, open to the public. © Brenda S. Cox 2022

The Countess became a Methodist in the 1700s, when Methodist revivals were sweeping England. At that time, Methodists were trying to bring new life into the Church of England. They separated from it by the end of the 1700s. Most of their followers were from the lower and middle classes, but the Countess of Huntingdon, of course, was from the nobility. She did not preach, but was a powerful church leader, always looking for new ways to spread the gospel message.

The Countess hosted “spiritual routs,” parties where Methodist ministers preached, in her London home to bring the gospel message to her peers. She held separate meetings for poorer people. However, that was not enough for her.

Methodist ministers, although ordained in the Church of England, were having difficulty finding places to preach. Their “enthusiastic,” or emotional, style of preaching, and their message of salvation by faith alone, were not popular among other clergy. So the Countess came up with an ingenious solution. As a noblewoman, she could have a private chapel attached to her home (as the Rushworths have in Mansfield Park). She could also hire private chaplains, and get them ordained if necessary. So she built homes for herself all over England, with large chapels attached to them. (She was not as wealthy as you might think; she had to sell her jewels to build the first chapel, and she raised money for the others.) She chose chaplains from among the Methodist preachers, including the famous preacher George Whitefield. Then she invited those chaplains and other Methodists ministers to preach in her chapels around the country.

Caption: Methodist preachers, including George Whitefield, took turns preaching at this pulpit in the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel in Bath. © Brenda S. Cox 2022

The Countess also started her own seminary to train clergymen, after Oxford University refused to ordain several “methodistical” students. 

However, when she built a chapel in London at Spa Fields, the local clergyman sued her and won. At that point she had to separate from the Church of England. But her services were still essentially Anglican services. The Countess of Huntingdon “Connexion” is still operating, listing 22 chapels in England and more than 30 chapels in Sierra Leone.

The Countess was sometimes as imperious as Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and her work was often controversial. But she was a church leader, with a heart for God, who influenced many people.

Hannah More

Hannah More was another woman of Austen’s time who influenced many toward deeper religious faith and moral behavior. She was from a very different strata of society, the daughter of a middle-class schoolmaster. However, with her wit and intelligence, she made friends with influential people, especially Samuel Johnson (author of the first major English dictionary), David Garrick (famous actor), and William Wilberforce (leader of the abolition movement). She became part of the “Clapham Sect,” a group of Christians who led the fight against slavery and the slave trade. 

More wrote many books, which were far more popular than Austen’s at the time. They don’t appeal to us much today, though. One of Austen’s reviewers called More’s only novel, Coelebs in Search of a Wife, a “dramatic sermon”; he praised Austen for her less obtrusive religious approach. (This novel is mentioned in Austen’s letters of Jan. 24 and Jan. 30, 1809; Cassandra recommended it to Jane.) Many of More’s other books confronted the immoral behavior of the upper classes. However, the upper and middle classes still loved her books. In a letter, Austen mentions some of her friends reading More’s latest production (May 31, 1811).

Hannah More and her sister also started and supported Sunday schools throughout the impoverished region of Cheddar, where they lived. These schools gave a basic education to poor people, both children and adults, teaching them reading and other skills that enabled them to improve their lives. More also wrote popular tracts which were sold cheaply to the working classes to give them what was considered good reading material.

More’s influence as a Christian leader (though she was not in the clergy) helped to improve the moral values and behavior of the whole country of England.

Hannah More published dozens of books, but only one novel: Coelebs in Search of a Wife: Comprising Observations on Domestic Habits and Manners, Religion and Morals. Because of its title, Austen asked, “Is it written only to Classical Scholars?” But it was wildly popular, in the UK and the US. First published in 1808, it was already in its 11th edition in 1809.

Other Denominations

The Methodist leader, John Wesley, allowed women to preach if they felt they had an “extraordinary call” from God. He told one of them, “Sister, do all the good you can.” Later on, when women preachers were visiting a congregation, Methodists often listed them by their husbands’ names, with an asterisk to show that the wife would be preaching!

The Quakers were the most egalitarian religious group of the time. They did not ordain ministers, but officially “recorded” those with a recognized gift of spoken ministry. Some of these were women. Elizabeth Fry, who led the fight for prison reform in England, was a Quaker minister.

You can read much more of these women’s stories, and much more, in Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen’s England, now available from Amazon and Jane Austen Books.

Purchase Links

Amazon (paid link) • Universal Amazon link • Jane Austen Books

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Recommendations:

“Finally! Fashionable Goodness is the Jane Austen reference book that’s been missing from the bookshelves of every Austen fan and scholar.”

~ Rachel Dodge, bestselling author of Praying with Jane

“You will look at Mr. Collins, the Crawfords, the Dashwoods, the Tilneys, the Wickhams, and Willoughbys--and especially Fanny Price!--with new and surprising insights. Bravo to Brenda Cox for giving us this very accessible, illuminating take on the ‘fashionable goodness’ of Austen’s era!”

~ Deborah Barnum, Jane Austen in Vermont

“Brenda Cox’s Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen’s England is an indispensable guide to all things religious in Jane Austen’s world.”

~ Roger E. Moore, Vanderbilt University, author of Jane Austen and the Reformation

“This scholarly, detailed work is a triumph. Easily read, helpful and accurate, it provides a fascinating panorama of 18th century Anglicanism and the various challenges the Church and wider society faced. Cox’s many insights will enrich readers’ understanding and appreciation of Jane Austen’s novels and her life as a devout Christian.”

~ The Revd. Canon Michael Kenning, vice-chairman of the Jane Austen Society (U. K.) and former rector of Steventon

About the Author

Brenda S. Cox has loved Jane Austen since she came across a copy of Emma as a young adult; she went out and bought a whole set of the novels as soon as she finished it! She has spent years researching the church in Austen’s England, visiting English churches and reading hundreds of books and articles, including many written by Austen’s contemporaries. She speaks at Jane Austen Society of North America meetings (incuding three AGMs) and writes for Persuasions On-Line (JASNA journal) and the websites Jane Austen’s World and Faith, Science, Joy, and Jane Austen.

Blog Tour

Oct. 20 Jane Austen’s World, Vic Sanborn, Interview

Oct. 21  My Jane Austen Book Club, Maria Grazia, Giveaway and Guest Post, “Sydney Smith, Anglican Clergyman and Proponent of Catholic Rights, Potential Model for Henry Tilney”

Oct. 22 Clutching My Pearls, Lona Manning, Book Review

Oct. 23 Jane Austen Daily on Facebook, Austen and Her Nephews Worship (1808)

Oct. 25 Jane Austen in Vermont, Deborah Barnum, Giveaway, Excerpt from Chapter 1, and Book Review

Oct. 25 Jane Austen and Fashionable Goodness, History, Real Life and Faith, Michelle Ule, Book Review 

Oct. 27 Australasian Christian Writers, Donna Fletcher Crow, Guest Post, “Seven Things Historical Fiction Writers Should Know about the Church of England”

Oct. 30 Regency History, Andrew Knowles, Book Review and Video Interview

Nov. 1  So Little Time, So Much to Read!, Candy Morton, Guest Post, “Women as Religious Leaders in Austen’s England” ~ You're here!

Nov. 2 Austen Variations, Shannon Winslow, Interview, Excerpt from Chapter 7, “The Clergyman’s Wife”

Nov. 3 Laura’s Reviews, Laura Gerold, Book Review

Nov. 4 Jane Austen’s World and Kindred Spirit, Saved by Grace, Rachel Dodge, Book Review and Giveaway

Nov. 7 The Authorized Version, Donna Fletcher Crow, Book Review

Nov. 8 Julie Klassen, Book Review and Guest Post, “Jane Austen at Church”

Jan. 10 The Calico Critic, Laura Hartness, Book Review

Thank you Brenda! That was fascinating. Your book looks like a excellent reference book. Congratulations on its release!

So, friends, what are your thoughts? Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below.   

What Are You Reading? ~ Mar. 18th, 2020

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What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finish reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Hello, my friends! Wow! Crazy times right now! I hope you are all well and safe! 
Current Read

I'm currently reading Educated* by Tara Westover. I'm fascinated by Tara's experiences growing up with her survivalist family. It's very interesting, but being non-fiction, it's a slower read for me. 






Recently Finished

I finished reading Aftermath* by Kelley Armstrong. It was pretty good! It was more of a mystery than I thought (didn't read the blurb all the way - the first paragraph grabbed me, and I went with it!). I enjoyed it! ~ 4 stars.






What's next?

Depends on how I feel. I just got Live, Love, Longbourn (The Bennet Sisters, Bk 1)* by Jennifer Becton. It looks really cute! I might read that. :) 








*Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks! 

So, tell me, what are you reading? I hope you all are well!  

Be More Jane Blog Tour ~ Guest Post, Deleted Scene & Giveaway!

Hello, my friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend! I sure did! I was a volunteer at the LA Times Festival of Books on Saturday! It was fantastic! To see a few pictures, check out my Instagram! -->

Today it's my pleasure to have Sophie Andrews visiting with us here at So Little Time... with her new book Be More Jane! I'm very excited for Sophie! This is a cute little book that I'm sure many of you will enjoy! The illustrations are just beautiful, and you may recognize the artist Jane Odiwe; author of more than a few Austenesque stories herself! 

Sophie's sharing with us a deleted scene from Be More Jane, and CICO Books is giving away a copy of the book to one of my lucky readers! Details are at the bottom of the page.

Thank you so much, Candy, for welcoming me to your blog today.  Of course, throughout most of my new book, I share light-hearted but genuine advice; lessons I have learned from Jane Austen and her novels and letters.  However, I have also had a little extra fun along the way, by writing as some of Austen's most beloved, often comic, characters - who mistakenly believe they have their own sensible advice to share!  So today, I am excited to share with you something which didn't quite make it into the final book, (due to lack of space!).

I was working to a page and word limit, and I had rather too much inspiration for some of my comic character sections, and a few had to be dropped. So today, I am delighted to share with you and your readers some advice from Mrs Augusta Elton.  

Mrs Elton: How to be fashionable in an unfashionable location

       I have recently changed my name from Hawkins - and you will surely know of the Hawkins family, of Bath society? - to become Mrs Augusta Elton, and wife to the rector of a small and somewhat insignificant little village called Highbury, in Surrey. I cannot deny that Mr E comes from a prettyish sort of little place; after all, we have all heard that Surrey is the garden of England; yet it is all rather ‘countrified’ roundabout. Town is so much more diverting, sociable and modern, and being used to a most fashionable lifestyle in Bath before my marriage, I have had to adapt to the somewhat less.... well, civilised ways of the countryside. I am learning to retain as much style as is possible in such an ordinary place, and who knows, perhaps some of my neighbours may pick up some tips? However, I do feel obliged to share my advice with you, too, in case you have the misfortune to find yourself living in a similarly remote situation and in need of such assistance.

•  When first you are to be seen in your neighbourhood, I recommend you make an entrance. You must ensure people notice you have arrived, remember your arrival, and hopefully mention it to others. Word will soon circulate. You might elect to come suitably late to social gatherings; in fact, should you be the last to arrive, then everyone will have the opportunity to observe your entrance - it does seem to me that in the countryside, people are unfashionably fond of punctuality.

•  It almost goes without saying that you must have your husband acquire for you an elegant and modish means of transport. A lady must have a carriage at her complete disposal, to go calling in the afternoon, and to arrive at soirees and evening parties in the correct manner. Might I suggest the barouche-landau for real comfort? - a most fashionable choice, it cannot fail to impress. My darling sister Selina has one, and she says they fit four perfectly!

•  My next idea is to form a musical club. I absolutely cannot live without something of a musical society, indeed, without music, life would be a blank to me. Therefore do not be forced to give up such cultural activities upon leaving town, indeed, ladies of consequence in society should lead the way by organising such pursuits.

•  If there is to be a ball in the neighbourhood, - there is likely to be one held in your honour -, do be sure to supervise the arrangements, since you will doubtless have greater expertise in the organisation of fine occasions. Ensure that people are made aware that you, as guest of honour, must lead the first dance of the evening, since they will not know this is how it is done in Bath, and other popular towns. I would advise you against filling your dance card, despite the numerous gentlemen who will be seeking your favour, for you cannot possibly perform every dance at the ball with the same high degree of accomplishment. Nor should you be seen to be making yourself too obviously the centre of attention and admiration.

•  Beware of trimming. Nobody can think less of dress in general than I do, for a simple style of dress is so infinitely preferable to finery. Mr E is of the same mind, but I do fear I am quite in the minority; - few people seem to value simplicity of dress, - show and finery are everything. Yet I have the greatest dislike of being over trimmed. However, there are of course exceptions, and at times you must think in great detail about your appearance. At the Highbury Ball held in my honour when every body's eyes were so much upon me, I would not have wished to be inferior to others. However, I need not have worried, for I saw very few pearls in the room except mine. At a recent wedding, that of the daughter of supposedly the foremost family in the neighbourhood, I must confess I thought it all extremely shabby, and very inferior to my own. (Very little white satin, very few lace veils; a most pitiful business!)

•  If an outdoor pursuit is to take place, (which is inevitable when one is in the countryside where there is little else to do), you must be dressed in an entirely appropriate manner, which may well require some new dress or pelisse. This is a good opportunity to show you are adapting to country life, whilst retaining your sense of stylish attire. We had the most pleasant day, strawberry picking on the estate of one of Mr E's dearest friends, Knightley, and I was quite pleased with my outfit for that occasion; I wore a straw bonnet, and had trimmed my basket with a pink ribbon. I considered riding on a donkey, which would have made for a noteworthy arrival. I really must talk to Mr E about purchasing a donkey, as I conceive it to be a sort of necessity for dusty country lanes.

       I do hope I have encouraged you to introduce some style to your little neighbourhood and to retain a sense of fashion, even if, like me and my caro sposo, your situation requires you to live in an unfamiliar and less important society.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you again, very much, for hosting me here today. I really hope you liked this little vignette, which didn't quite make the final edit, and that you all enjoy reading  my new book, 'Be More Jane'.

Be More Jane
by Sophie Andrews


Are you more Marianne than Elinor, Lydia rather than Lizzy? Be More Jane will teach you to address life with more sense and less prejudice, taking useful lessons from the novels and letters of Jane Austen, one of the world’s best-loved writers. Times may change, but many of our problems remain the same. Sophie Andrews, a young Janeite, knows from personal experience that in times of trouble, or just on matters of friendship, family, and love, answers are to be found in the pages of Miss Austen’s novels.

Buy: Amazon US • Amazon UK
Add to Goodreads.

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon US. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

About the Author

Sophie Andrews is a founder member of the Jane Austen Pineapple Appreciation Society, and organises events such as picnics, balls and house parties for her fellow Austenites. Sophie started her blog, Laughing with Lizzie, in 2012, aged 16, after studying Pride and Prejudice at school. She has been attending Austen-themed events since then, and was featured in the BBC documentary “My Friend Jane” which focused on the fun and friendship she has found with her fellow Janeites. She lives in Berkshire and has over 100 different editions of Pride and Prejudice on her bookshelves.

Connect with Sophie Andrews

Facebook • Instagram • Twitter

Be More Jane Blog Tour Schedule

April 8 Regency History/Q&A & Giveaway

April 9 Diary of an Eccentric/Book review & Giveaway

April 10 More Agreeably Engaged/Book review & Giveaway

April 11 Babblings of a Bookworm/Excerpt & Giveaway

April 12 My Love for Jane Austen/Guest Post & Giveaway

April 14 My Jane Austen Book Club/Book review & Giveaway

April 15 So Little Time/Guest Post & Giveaway

April 16 Austenesque Reviews/Book review & Giveaway

* * * GIVEAWAY * * *

It's giveaway time! CICO Books is giving away a copy of Be More Jane to one of my US, Canada or European readers! To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below!

• One person will win a copy of Be More Jane by Sophie Andrews.
• To enter the giveaway, fill out the Rafflecopter below.
• Rafflecopter will randomly select the winner.
• Open to US, Canada, or European readers.
• Last day to enter the giveaway is April 22, 2019, at 11:59 PM, Pacific Time.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more chances to win, please check out the other stops on this tour. Each site is giving away a copy of Be More Jane!

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Sophie Andrews on her book! Also, I want to thank her for being a guest on my blog!

Many thanks to CICO books for including me in this book tour and for the wonderful giveaway! 

So, friends, what do you think? Isn't there so much we can learn from Jane? 

What Are You Reading? ~ Feb. 7, 2018

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What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finish reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Here's my list: 

I'm currently reading Conceit & Concealment by Abigail Reynolds. This P&P variation is also an altered history story where England has been taken over by the French! A different twist for sure! I'm enjoying what little I've read so far! 

I recently finished reading Love, Stock, & Barrel by Crystal L Barnes. I really like this story! This is the second book of the Marriage & Mayhem series. Someday I'd like to read another in this series.  

What's next? I'm not sure. My mother-in-law sent me Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser. She knows I used to read the Little House on the Prairie books all the time. I even when to Missouri to see Laura's house!  So, maybe that.






Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks! 

I'm linking up with This Week In Books hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found.

And with Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. 

So, tell me, what are you reading? 

'Courtship and Marriage in Jane Austen's World' by Maria Grace ~ Dos and Do Nots of Courtship ~ An Excerpt

Hello, Friends! Today, I'm delighted to have Maria Grace visiting today with her new book Courtship & Marriage in Jane Austen's World! Courtship in the late 1700s, early 1800s was so fascinating and so hard for us to wrap our modern minds around. It is Maria Grace's wish to help us understand what it was like in Jane Austen's World!

     Thanks, Candy, for inviting me to share about courtship and marriage in Jane Austen’s day. Customs have changed so dramatically in the two centuries since Jane Austen wrote her novels that things which were obvious to her original readers leave readers today scratching their heads and missing important implications. It’s amazing how much of Austen’s stories we miss not understanding the context she wrote it.

     One of the most bewildering aspects of courtship in the regency era were the bewildering rules of conduct young men and women were subject to.   This excerpt from Courtship and Marriage in Jane Austen’s World explains some of those restrictions and the reasons behind them, and the dangers of being compromised.

Dos and Do Nots of Courtship

     Many of the rules governing conduct in courtship helped squelch the possibilities of romantic passion. These included forbidding the use of Christian names, paying compliments, driving in carriages alone together, correspondence, and any kind of intimate contact.    

     If a couple was observed violating any of them, onlookers would immediately assume a proposal had been offered and accepted. Even mild displays of friendliness could inspire speculations about a possible offer of marriage. Thus, in Sense and Sensibility, many assumed Marianne and Willoughby were engaged because of their very open affectionate behavior.

     A mistaken assumption of betrothal could be very dangerous to a woman’s reputation. Betrothed couples often engaged in sexual behaviors. If a woman was assumed engaged then found not to be, many would assume she had compromised her virtue and her reputation might be ruined.  (This was the crux of the favorite romance novel plot point, a young woman being ‘compromised’)  An honorable man might make her an offer of marriage at that point to preserve her reputation. Willoughby’s bringing Marianne to tour Allenham without a chaperone compromises her in Sense and Sensibility. Running off with Wickham compromised Lydia’s reputation in Pride and Prejudice. That neither man is eager to marry the lady they compromised reveals much about their character.

Chaperones

     Young, unmarried women were never alone in the company of a gentleman (save family and close family friends) or at any social event, without a chaperone. Who knew what kind of ideas she or he could get!

      Except for a walk to church or a park in the early morning, a lady could not even walk without an appropriate companion. (Of course, a potential suitor would not be appropriate!)  Though a lady might drive her own carriage or ride horseback, if she left the family estate, a groom must attend her.  

     Under no circumstances could a lady call upon a gentleman alone unless consulting him on business matters.

     In Emma, we see the ‘close friend or family’ clause invoked. Mr. Knightly has been a family friend for at least a decade. He and Emma are allowed liberties to walk and talk and keep company together because of the closeness of their connections. In Mansfield Park, Edmund is also permitted the same liberties with Fanny Price for the same reasons.  She is family and not considered a marriageable partner in any case because of her low status (being a cousin did not disqualify her from being an eligible match.) Edward shares unchaperoned moments with Elinor in Sense and Sensibility because his is considered a family connection through his sister, their half-brother’s wife. In contrast, in Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth walking in the woods at Rosings Park with Mr. Darcy or Col. Fitzwilliam—with whom she has no such connections—is highly improper.

Touching

     Naturally, all forms of touching were kept to a minimum. Sakes alive, what kind of unrestrained behavior might that lead to?  

     Putting a lady's shawl about her shoulders, or assisting her to mount a horse, enter a carriage or climb stairs were acceptable. A gentleman might take a lady's arm through his, to support her while out walking. 

     However, he must never try to take her hand, even to shake it friendly-like. If he did, she must immediately withdraw it with a strong air of disapproval, whether she felt it or not.  When Marianne tried to shake Willoughby’s hand in public in Sense and Sensibility it was really quite forward and even shocking public behavior.

Conversation

     Conversations had to be extremely discreet, leaving much to be interpreted from facial expressions alone. Even smiles and laughs were proscribed by many advice writers.

There is another Character not quite so criminal, yet not less ridiculous; which is, that of a good humour'd Woman, one who thinketh she must always be in a Laugh, or a broad Smile, because Good-Humour is an obliging Quality… . (The Whole Duty of a Woman, 1737)

     Mr. Elton’s riddle about courtship in Emma is a good example of the kind of roundabout, overtly subtle conversation that could come about because of these rules. And we all know how well that turned out for him.

A Few Good Reasons

     Not surprisingly, it was difficult for either party to truly discern the feelings and intentions of the other. Austen used this point to great effect in Emma regarding Harriet Smith’s propensity to see acts of affection from all her ‘loves.’ 

      Only at the moment an offer of marriage was made could a man clearly declare his feelings and a woman hers in return. Thus, poor Elizabeth Bennet was shocked by Mr. Darcy’s declaration: “My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

     Although it all sounds laughable to modern viewpoints, there were some genuinely good reasons for all of the restrictions. While enlightenment philosophy did alter some perspectives about marriage, some things did not change. 

     At the core, marriage was still a business arrangement. Men and women both brought their assets to the arrangement. Property, dowries and fortunes, trades, skills (including those of keeping house), social connections (of course those might be good or bad, just saying…) and the ability to provide heirs were all very real commodities in the transaction.  Equitable compensation was needed for all involved, including the extended families.

     In light of all the fuss, modern minds might argue in favor of simply staying single and being done with it all. But no, that would make it all far too easy. During the era, staying single was definitely not a good alternative either. 

     Society did not approve of the unmarried adult. Spinsters were considered the bane of society, and bachelors were looked down upon as still not quite fully participating in adult life. (Vickery, 2009) A great deal rode on establishing oneself in a comfortable married state.

     If this weren’t enough reason for anxiety, add to it that divorce was nearly impossible to obtain. Essentially, one had only one opportunity to ‘get it right’ as it were. Granted, widowhood was common enough, and some married multiple times because of it, but it probably wasn’t a good thing to count on.

     No wonder parents were in a dither that their children might make a tragic mistake choosing a marriage partner. With so much on the line, can you really blame them for supporting rules designed to keep runaway passions at bay and encourage level-headed decision making?

If you enjoyed this post, check out my new book, Courtship and Marriage in Jane Austen’s World, available at Amazon, Nook and KOBO. It details the customs, etiquette and legalities of courtship and marriage during the regency era and how it relates to all of Jane Austen’s works. 

Courtship and Marriage in Jane Austen’s World by Maria Grace 

Book Blurb: 

Jane Austen’s books are full of hidden mysteries for the modern reader. Why on earth would Elizabeth Bennet be expected to consider a suitor like foolish Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice? Would Lydia's 'infamous elopement' truly have ruined her family and her other sisters’ chances to marry?  Why were the Dashwood women thrown out of their home after Mr. Dashwood's death in Sense and Sensibility, and what was the problem with secret engagements anyway? And then there are settlements, pin money, marriage articles and many other puzzles for today’s Austen lovers.   

Customs have changed dramatically in the two centuries since Jane Austen wrote her novels. Beyond the differences in etiquette and speech, words that sound familiar to us are often misleading. References her original readers would have understood leave today’s readers scratching their heads and missing important implications.   

Take a step into history with Maria Grace as she explores the customs, etiquette and legalities of courtship and marriage in Jane Austen's world. Packed with information and rich with detail from Austen's novels, Maria Grace casts a light on the sometimes bizarre rules of Regency courtship and unravels the hidden nuances in Jane Austen's works.   

Non fiction

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About the Author 

Maria Grace has her PhD in Educational Psychology and is a 16 year veteran of the university classroom where she taught courses in human growth and development, learning, test development and counseling. None of which have anything to do with her undergraduate studies in economics/sociology/managerial studies/behavior sciences. 


She blogs at Random Bits of Fascination (www.RandomBitsofFascination.com), mainly about her fascination with Regency-era history and its role in her fiction. Her newest novel, The Trouble to Check Her, was released in March, 2016. Her books, fiction and nonfiction, are available at all major online booksellers. 

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Thank you so much, Maria Grace, for stopping by here today! Congratulations on the release of your new book. I find this subject very interesting! And I'm so glad I'm not living in such a time!  ;)

How about you? Do you find this subject interesting? Please, leave a comment and tell us what you think! 

**I noticed Misty @ The Book Rat currently has a giveaway going on, so hurry over there for a chance to win a copy!