Wedded Wife: A Feminist History of Marriage

Discover the remarkable story of how the institution of marriage has developed, from the ancient customs of the Stone Age through to the modern form it takes today.

The pressure to marry, the politics surrounding proposals, the spectacle of marriage, taking a man’s name, the politics tied to consummation - join Rachael Lennon delving into these themes through a feminist lens as she discusses her new book, Wedded Wife.

In shaking off patriarchal expectations, Rachael examines marriage’s troubling past and celebrates a more joyful present, celebrating the feminist activists who have fought to make marriage a pure and equitable celebration of love, open to everyone regardless of gender or sexuality.

Rachael will be in conversation with Vicky Iglikowski-Broad, Principal Records Specialist in diverse histories, and will be interweaving her own personal experiences with stories and anecdotes from throughout history to explore how marriage has transformed over the years.