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Did anyone watch the above program? I know it is fiction but something struck me in the last episode. (I have only just watched it.) Tess asked her husband to marry her sister following her death. The time must have been in the 1870's as Tess's father died in 1871 and it was after his death.
I have read, on this forum, that it was forbidden to marry your dead wife's sister.
Is this a case of the author not doing their research or a cock-up in adapting the story for TV? It's not the kind of book I like to read but I do enjoy watching period dramas.

As an aside, I'm looking forward to Little Dorritt at the weekend.

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Mel

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I watched it Mel, I remember her saying that but I never thought anything of it, it was good drama was'nt it, I love all this period stuff as well never miss any of it. I to will be watching Little Dorritt. It is illegal now to marry a siblings spouse
but I dont know about in those days. Saying that Henry the V111 married his brothers wife did'nt he, but had it annulled later saying it was'nt legal in the RC church's eyes, that was because she couldnt give him a son and he fancied his chances with poor Ann Bolyen (? sic).

Stephanie.

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=856&hilit=marry

This was where I read it.

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Mel

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Thomas Hardy wrote about the harsh actual realities of life in rural Wessex, and the text implies he knew very well that what Tess suggested was probably illegal at the time, but it happened anyway. As it did in Worsthorne, where one of my great-uncles seems to have married his his late brother's wife in 1898. Such a pity Hardy's books are not the sort you like to read, you are missing so much. They knock spots off the tv adaptations. Just give "The Mayor of Casterbridge" a try - a man selling his wife in a pub was doubtless illegal too ..............

As for Tess, here's the original text , with the implied knowledge

"Angel, if anything happens to me, will you watch over 'Liza-Lu for my sake? .....- I wish you would marry her if you lose me, as you will do shortly. O if you would!"
"If I lose you, I lose all! And she is my sister-in-law."
"That's nothing, dearest. People marry sister-laws (sic) continually about Marlott; and 'Liza-Lu is so gentle and sweet ..... I could share you with her willingly when we are spirits"

By the way, is it now legal for a man to marry his widow's sister? (Sorry)

Think there has been a TV drama about The Mayor of Casterbridge too. The story seems very familiar to me.


Stephanie.

Dan I would say it's not a question of whether it's legal for a man to marry his widow's sister, so much as whether it's possible, bearing in mind that if she's a widow, he must be dead!

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Maureen
If you can't fight, wear a big 'at

Maybe I will have a dabble into something new. I do enjoy watching period dramas. I should re-join my local library and see what I can pick up there.

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Mel

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Hence the "sorry" in brackets after the question, Maureen. Just checking who was awake (which was cheeky for a newcomer, my apologies). Surprising, the arguments that one can start down the pub...... DAN

Oh Dan, with a sense of humour like that, you will get on well on here.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Fill your boots Dan, we like a bit of fun

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Mel

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