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Many love themes run throughout my historical family saga series, The McBride Chronicles, set mainly in British Columbia, Canada, and taking place from the 1830s to present day.
While researching romance during those years, I discovered, for instance, that in the Victorian Era (1837–1901), there was a great deal of formal courting. In the upper classes, it was almost an art form. A gentleman interested in a certain lady could not simply start up a conversation with her at a social event without a formal introduction. And it would be some time before it was considered appropriate to speak to her or for them to be seen together. After they had been formally introduced at an event, the gentleman would present his card to her if he was interested and wished to escort the lady home. At the end of the evening, the lady looked over the cards she had received and then chose who would be her escort. She would then notify the lucky man by giving him her card in return. Actual courting only took place in the young lady’s home and always with a chaperone close by, usually her parents. Eventually the courting might progress to the front porch. Any marriage proposal would usually be handwritten, after the gentlemen had first approached the lady’s father. Fun Historical Tidbits Here are some more facts I discovered about romance and courtship throughout history:
Love in the 19th Century But, as I also discovered, not all courting couples adhered to the traditions of their time in history. I decided to portray some such characters in The McBride Chronicles, so I created relationships and love between different classes, women who risked their reputation for love, and love affairs during times of war, when men and women lived only for the moment. ![]()
In the 19th century, even the love affair between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert was far from ordinary or conventional. She had to propose to him because of their stations in life.
There was a great love between them, despite their frequent quarrels during the marriage. When Albert died at a young age, Victoria went into deep sorrow and mourned him for the remainder of her life. My own grandparents, Ernest Coulson and Annie Letitia Barber (their wedding in 1898 seen below), had a traditional courtship and were apparently a very loving couple who raised six children. But judging from their wedding picture, the celebration looked to be rather a sombre affair!
Courtship Today
I must admit I regret how love and courtship has changed over the years—even since the 1960s and 1970s when I was young. Relationships between partners today are more informal. Many choose to live together and have children without the benefit of traditional marriage. But who am I to judge? Everyone should do what works for them—as long as love is present. Love is really all that matters. Please leave a comment below and let me know your views about love and romance in the 21st century as opposed to days gone by. I would love to hear from you.
4 Comments
Terry
4/10/2018 04:33:33 pm
Well - I learned something today! I actually didn't realize the importance of those 'cards' passing hands or that courtship was really that formal. Loved the photo of your grandparents - it looks like quite a grand wedding! And imagine having it the day after Christmas, as it there wasn't enough going on?
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Susan
4/10/2018 07:32:46 pm
Thanks for the interesting read, Valerie. I also have a picture of very sombre-looking grandparents. My mother said it was because they had to stay still for so long, so smiling wasn't recommended!
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