HISTORICALEIGH - Tudor Married Bliss - Not Really!

May 11, 2015 by Carole Mulroney

Tudor Married Bliss - Not Really!

In Elizabeth's England it was considered a sin for married couples not to cohabit. In 1590 Humphrey and Joan Bailey were before the court for living slanderously asunder. Joan declared that they had not been lawfully married and that 'by deceit he compelled her thereto, and now will not suffer her in his sight and beateth her, so that she is not able to abide him for fear of her life'.

She further alleged 'He hath heretofore when they lived together brought home certain goods that she supposed he had stolen and would have compelled her to keep them close (i.e. secretly), or other vile things, which she denied to do, and therefore was glad to depart from him. The woman was discharged, while her husband was excommunicated.