Marrying by the Numbers: Marriage Patterns of Aristocratic British Women, 1485-2000 (original) (raw)

This project is a study of the marriage patterns of aristocratic British women over the more than five-century period between 1485 and 2000. It employs a twofold evidentiary base, combining a demographic analysis with a more traditional analysis of primary sources such as letters, journals, and diaries. Together, the statistical and the written evidence provide a window into the intersection of marriage and rank among elite British women between the sixteenth and the twentieth centuries. As a result of this research, this dissertation argues that there was a remarkable level of consistency in rank identity among the British aristocracy despite great changes in government, religion, and society. A project that has been a lifetime in the completion necessarily accumulates a number of debts, both professional and personal, debts that I gratefully acknowledge here. This work has been conducted under the painstaking guidance of my advisor, Dr. Katherine Clark. Dr. Clark read drafts with uncommon care and her comments have done a great deal to sharpen the argument and to add some elegance to the prose. The other members of the British Field at the University of Kansas, Dr. J.C.D. Clark and Dr. Victor Bailey, provided much assistance as this study took shape. My friend and former student Dawn Baker taught me the intricacies of Excel; without her sage advice I would still be trying to count exogamous marriages using hash marks. The members of the History department at Missouri Western State College (now University), both past and present, have been unflaggingly supportive as I learned how to teach and worked out what it means to be a historian. In particular, Dr. Jon Kepler provided early inspiration and made me realize that it is possible to be a professional academic. Dr. Daniel Trifan, with contributions both professional and personal, patiently read drafts of this work and provided encouragement when it all seemed to be beyond my reach-in short, he has been a true friend and mentor and indeed, this could never have been done without him. On a more personal level, I am lucky to have family and friends who supported me through the long dark nights of the soul that are the inevitable result of writing a dissertation. To the other members of the KU history graduate student community, especially the members of the dissertation writing group, I owe a deep debt for their inspiring discussion, cogent criticism, and most importantly their consistent empathy. Mark Elting taught me that there are many rhythms in the universe and that life is richer and more balanced if you keep your ear tuned to them. My mother Joyce Schutte has provided support and encouragement throughout my life and has never been satisfied with my excuses. I am blessed to have a daughter Marina Trifan, who is wise and compassionate beyond her years. This undertaking has perhaps cost her more than anyone else and she has never flagged in her encouragement and understanding. Knowing that there are young women such as her in the world gives me great confidence in the future. The great sadness is that my father, Wayne Schutte, did not live to see this completedthough I know that he never doubted that it would be.