Contents

Introduction

1.  Discrimination and Diversities: The Development of Breach of Promise 1780–1815

2.  Artful and Abandoned Hussies: The Heyday of Breach of Promise 1816–1869

3.  A Substitute for a Shotgun? The Decline of Breach of Promise 1870–1970

4.  All the World’s a Stage: The Legal System and Breach of Promise

5.  Escaping from the Spider’s Web: Defences to Claims for Breach of Promise

6.  Proverbial for their Extravagance: Damages paid for Breach of Promise

7.  The Court of Public Opinion: Women who failed with Breach of Promise Claims

8.  Debt, Despair, Divorce and Death: The Dark Side of Breach of Promise

9.  The Real Miss Havishams: The Myths and Realities of Breach of Promise

10. In Want of a Wife? Breach of Promise Cases pursued by Men

Conclusion

Appendix 1: Notes for Family Historians

Appendix 2: Notes for Researchers

Appendix 3: Money Matters

Appendix 4: List of Cases

Appendix 5: Glossary of Legal Terms

Bibliography and Sources