Rachael Lennon was the National Trust’s co-founder of the revisionist Challenging Histories programme which Clare Balding claimed “will change the way history is written and thought about from this point onwards”. Having grown up understanding that marriage was only for a man and a woman, she married her wife Claire in Northumberland in 2017 - just 3 years after the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the UK. Rachael lives in Durham with her wife and daughter.
Preface
Introduction
SHE SAID YES
Popping the question
Just the two of us
Better to marry than burn – or starve
The usual inducements of women to marry
Political proposals
THE BIG DAY
A manoeuvring business
Making it official
Putting on a show
A consummation to be devoutly wished
WHAT COMES NEXT?
What’s in a name?
Love, fair looks and true obedience
Forsaking all others
A fruitful union
Having it all – domestic, social and paid labour
Till death do us part
Keeping up the fight
Epilogue
Notes