As marriage law underwent comparatively rapid changes during the nineteenth century, elopement declined. However, it remained in the public consciousness, no doubt because it retained its romantic allure.
As marriage law underwent comparatively rapid changes during the nineteenth century, elopement declined. However, it remained in the public consciousness, no doubt because it retained its romantic allure.
This double page spread is from The Graphic Christmas number from 1878, and shows, in the traditional stages, the progress of a middle-class elopement to Gretna Green. Its success is proved by its title – we can assume Grandmamma is held in huge affection by her grandchildren and that the tale of her flight was told many times over to the delight of her family.
1 Is he here? The heroine arrives at the party with her rather crusty but wary parents. They do not approve of their daughter’s choice.
2 He is here. To her relief, our hero is true to his word. They finalise plans as discreetly as they can. Perhaps he has some last-minute persuasion to accomplish.
3 Off! The couple sneak out of the house to a waiting chaise-and-four. The plans have been carefully laid. Our heroine’s parents are evidently not sufficiently beady-eyed.
4 Pursued! The lovers parents have discovered that their daughter is nowhere to be found. Father orders his coachman to chase the fleeing couple. He’s not far behind.
5 Great Grandpapa’s breakdown. The snow – and perhaps some deft sabotage perpetrated by the servants – have put paid to the pursuit.
6 At Gretna Green. At last, the couple reach Gretna, not far over the border, where they can be married without the permission of their parents. Now that they have irrevocably joined themselves together, they will have to trust that they will be forgiven by their families.
From the look of the heroine’s portrait, it would be implied that she will be able to bring her parents round with not too much difficulty.