A Study Of The Companionate Marriage In England From 17th To 18th Century

Until the 17th-18th century,the marriage system in the whole Western Europe is still extremely conservative and matchmaker marriage prevails,but at this time,a new form of marriage has emerged in England,young people of all strata have great freedom to choose a spouse,marriage is largely based on the emotional basis of both sides,the marital relationship after marriage is more harmonious than the traditional matchmaker marriage.This unique form of marriage is called "Companionate marriage".The phenomenon of Companionate marriage is the result of many factors.The lasting influence of the church marriage law at the end of the 12th century,the introduction of new humanistic values during the Reformation,the prevalence of Clandestine marriage in early modern times,the popularity of closed nuclear family and emotional individualism all created conditions for Companionate marriage.Compared with traditional marriage mode,Companionate marriage has new connotation and form;At the time of marriage,especially the middle and upper class young people are given considerable freedom to choose a mate to cultivate premarital feelings;Married couples are more equal and intimate;Companionate marriages encourage ending marriages by divorce when they fail.Finally,Companionate marriage had a wide and far-reaching impact on the marriage,family and female status in England,which greatly changed the marriage psychology and marriage practice of the whole society.By the 19th century,Companionate marriage had become a common pursuit,and the status of new marriage values had been completely stable in the England society.The rise of Companionate marriage cultivated women’s sense of independence.Women realized the irrationality of the relationship between men and women in the family,no longer bowed to the family status of their husbands,and began to resist.Therefore,the early feminist movement emerged,which became the beginning of the feminist movement in England.Finally,the rise and popularity of Companionate marriage changed the social attitude towards women’s right to education,promoted the initial development of female education at all levels,and consequently reduced the illiteracy rate.